John Bruton
Question:382 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the status of the national hazardous waste management plan. [23951/01]
Written Answers. - Hazardous Waste.
The national hazardous waste management plan in respect of the period 2001 to 2006 has been made by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, and copies of the plan are available in the Oireachtas Library. Under the Waste Management Act, 1996, relevant public authorities are required to have regard to the plan and, where they consider it appropriate to do so, to take measures to implement or otherwise give effect to, recommendations contained in the plan.
My Department will shortly, as recommended in the plan, establish an implementation committee which will be responsible for co-ordinating the overall implementation of the plan. Certain of the plan's key recommendations will also be addressed in the forthcoming policy statement on waste prevention and recovery.
Improved collection and reception services for hazardous waste from household and commercial sources are already being put in place by local authorities. With regard to infrastructure, the plan identifies a requirement for landfill and thermal treatment capacity for hazardous waste requiring disposal, so as to achieve self-sufficiency and reduce our reliance on export outlets. A private company has announced proposals to develop a hazardous waste incineration facility at Ringaskiddy, County Cork. As an exceptional measure, having regard to the polluter pays principle, grant assistance will be available under the NDP to support the provision of landfill capacity for hazardous wastes.