asked the Minister for the Environment the manner in which private waste disposal firms dispose of toxic wastes, and the control, if any, over such firms.
Written Answers. - Waste Disposal Firms.
51.
Some of the most difficult toxic wastes disposed of by such firms are exported for incineration or other treatment. Some other toxic wastes are treated first and then disposed of by land-fill. The remainder are disposed of by land-fill. The statutory controls governing the disposal of such wastes are contained in the Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878, the Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts, 1963 and 1976, the Fisheries (Consolidation) Acts, 1959-62 and the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977.
As indicated in reply to a question on the same subject by Deputy J. Walsh on 10 May 1979, my Department are at present carrying out an examination of the law relating to waste collection, handling and disposal and I intend in due course to bring before the Government any proposals necessary to provide local authorities with adequate powers to control waste operations and to ensure that policy aims in regard to the maintenance of proper standards and the avoidance of nuisance in the handling and disposal of waste are achieved.