A Government recommendation to suspend the sale of disposal barbecues for the duration of a Status Orange wildfire warning does not go far enough, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore.
Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said:
“The devastation we saw in Killarney National Park this week – with wildfires destroying 25 hectares of land in one of the country’s most scenic locations – is believed to have been caused by human activity, most likely through the careless use of a disposable barbecue.
“With the prolonged spell of extremely hot weather set to continue into next week, we cannot afford to put our natural environment, habitats or wildlife at further risk. Status Orange wildfire warnings are going to become increasingly common due to climate change, and we need to adapt accordingly to the challenges ahead.
“It’s not enough for the Department of Enterprise to simply write to retailers to request a suspension of the sale of disposable barbecues while warnings are in effect. As this recommendation is not legally binding, it will be a toothless, ineffective measure that risks being ignored by some retailers and their customers.
“A complete ban on the sale of disposable barbecues – underpinned by multi-agency enforcement – should be put in place during periods of active hot weather alerts.
“There is far too much at stake – our natural environment, our wildlife, and the safety of our firefighters and local communities – to rely on a system of self-regulation.”
July 16, 2026