asked the Minister for the Environment if he will agree to the suggestion of the Confederation of Irish Industry to update our legislation on waste disposal on the lines of the Control of Pollution Act, 1974, which effectively deals with the whole problem of domestic, commercial and industrial waste disposal.
Written Answers . - Waste Disposal Legislation .
508.
: A number of administrative and legislative measures have been initiated to deal with the waste disposal problem. The European Communities (Waste) Regulations, 1979, and European Communities (Toxic and Dangerous Waste) Regulations, 1982, make local authorities responsible for the planning, authorisation and supervision of waste operations in their areas and require them to prepare waste plans. The plans are to indicate, inter alia, the type of quantity of waste for disposal, suitable disposal sites and any special arrangements for particular wastes.
The overall arrangements envisaged include (a) the setting up of a central facility to deal with certain problem wastes, and (b) a programme for the establishment of a network of local authority tips at which industrial and other wastes can be disposed of under controlled conditions.
As regards (a), I expect to be in a position to make a statement in the matter shortly. As regards (b), my Department have constantly impressed upon local authorities the need to provide adequate disposal facilities for industrial wastes and detailed guidelines on the selection and design of co-disposal tips have been issued to them.
It is evident that substantial practical difficulties can arise for local authorities in attempting to provide for waste disposal, and especially for industrial waste disposal, in their area, and it is by no means certain that the answer to those difficulties lies in additional legislation. It is, however, the intention that legislation relating to environmental protection generally should be improved and developed as the need arises and the law and regulations relating to waste disposal are being kept under review in this connection.