Sinn Fein says people living in rural areas need to be protected if there's going to be a nationwide ban on smoky coal.
The Government wants to introduce the measure, saying 1,300 people are dying prematurely every year from air pollution.
The public consultation will also look at the dangers of burning other fuels like wet wood and turf.
Roscommon-Galway Sinn Fein TD Claire Kerrane told Midwest News today that many older people rely on these fuels, so need to be offered alternatives.
