asked the Minister for Local Government if he will consider preparing for the guidance of sanitary authorities a comprehensive management policy for the disposal of waste, having regard to the increase in the quantity of waste and the wide range of hazardous materials it now contains; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waste Disposal.
24.
It is a matter for each sanitary authority to decide on the provision to be made for waste collection and disposal in their area. I have already given considerable advice on these matters. I have asked the local authorities to review their waste operations and to see that they are operated adequately and efficiently from both the economic and environmental viewpoints. I have also asked that there should be a survey of hazardous wastes in each area; that measures should be taken to help the recycling of metal scrap and waste oils and that planning should be undertaken for waste disposal operations in the years 1977 to 1979. In addition, my Department, in co-operation with An Foras Forbartha, organised a conference last November to help local authority personnel in their approach to these and other waste problems, including the requirements of a number of EEC directives relating to waste. Further advice is being given locally by inspectors from my Department.
As I have previously indicated, a general examination of the provisions relating to local authority waste operations has been undertaken in my Department with a view to remedying any statutory or other deficiencies that may be identified.
In the meantime I have asked An Foras Forbartha to conduct a study as to whether or how local authorities might contribute further, on an economic basis to the recovery of useful materials from waste. I might mention also that my Department are represented on a new committee on waste management which has been set up by the EEC Commission to advise on development of policy in this area including possibilities for waste reduction and re-use as well as disposal. My Department, and other Departments concerned, will have the benefit of that work as it proceeds.
Is there a follow-up procedure in the Minister's Department to ensure that the local authorities are doing something in this important field?
There is. Circular ENV 2/74 was issued on the 9th of January, 1974; circular ENV 6/75 was issued on the 14th of March, 1975, and circular ENV 7/75 was issued on 7th April, 1975. At the present time officials from my Department are visiting local authorities to ensure that there is a proper system of waste disposal. I agree with Deputy O'Leary that there appears to the layman to be a better way of waste disposal than what we are operating at the present time. It does not appear reasonable to me—I am speaking as a layman— that metals which are now so costly should be dumped in with general waste. I am informed that as of now, except it is hand-picked before it is put into the waste disposal vehicle, there is no way in which it could be segregated at a reasonable cost afterwards. The result is that there is a lot of waste material which is potentially very useful and expensive being lost to industry in the country, because so far no reasonable method has been evolved. I have again and again asked local authorities to do what they can about trying to reduce both the volume and the type of waste. One of the biggest volume-creating things is paper. It is amazing all the people who will fill up their bins with newspapers and then wonder why they have not got room for the ordinary household refuse. I hope that An Foras Forbartha and particularly the EEC Committee who are investigating it will come up with a solution. As of now we are doing the best that is possible.
What about a subvention to the scrap metal people?
Scrap metal people who go to the trouble of taking out the metal are doing perhaps much better than many other people.
Would the Minister consider asking the chief officers of the local authorities to issue a copy of those circulars to the elected members?
Yes. If I remember correctly, Deputy O'Leary asked that a copy be given to him the last time. I arranged to have this done and I am sure he got it. If he thinks it will be of benefit I will arrange to have them sent to the elected representatives.