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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 Nov 1973

Vol. 268 No. 11

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waste Disposal.

104.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of a new process for transforming certain industrial toxic liquids and sludge wastes into a harmless soil-like substance that can usefully be returned to the land as advocated by a publication (details supplied); and if he has any plans to implement this process.

105.

asked the Minister for Local Government if his attention has been drawn to reports regarding a British refuse disposal plant which eliminates the necessity of having a tip-head with its attendant nuisance and which produces an excellent top soil; if he will investigate and report on the suitability of such a system for this country; and if the system is found to be suitable, if the Government will provide assistance to enable local authorities to introduce it.

106.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he has assessed the magnitude of the problem of solid waste disposal; if he will make a statement on the problems of dumping, incineration, recovery, recycling and landfill; and if the Government have any proposals for controls or legislation to deal with the problem.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 104, 105 and 106 together.

I am aware that there are a number of processes, including those involving incineration and compaction and including processes such as that referred to in Question No. 104 which can be used to deal with wastes of various types and, in certain cases, to produce useful by-products. It is, however, doubtful whether in our circumstances any of these processes constitutes a viable alternative, of general application, to properly controlled tipping and, of course, some of the modern disposal processes, such as incineration, are inclined to create their own pollution problems.

The responsibility for providing public waste disposal facilities in their areas rests with the local authorities. My Department are conducting a review of the current practice in relation to this service and local authorities will be advised as may be appropriate in the light of the findings. My Department are also keeping in touch with developments abroad, including those in the EEC, in relation to the waste problem.

I hope the Minister will keep an open mind as to the technological developments in these fields.

We will, but the ones the Deputy has referred to are not useful and do not fit in with the question of domestic refuse which, as the Deputy will understand, is the biggest problem he is interested in. Sludge wastes have nothing to do with that. It is purely a matter of industrial waste. We are keeping the whole matter under review and it is likely that somebody will come up with an answer.

I will keep after the Minister.

107.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that a new flotation system for removing such suspended solids from streams as metal plating wastes effluents from chemicals, dyestuffs, paper and glue plants and municipal sewage, has been devised; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

My technical advisers keep themselves informed of new developments in the flotation process. I am not aware of any recently developed system which might be regarded as a significant improvement on known flotation processes.

Can the Minister say what his views are in relation to the provision of communal septic tanks for small housing schemes?

That is an entirely different question. Each one of them would have to be considered on its merits. An awful lot depends on how many would use the tanks, et cetera.

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