The estimated total volume of toxic and dangerous waste in this country coming within the EC definition was 54,000 tonnes in 1988. Approximately two-thirds of this waste is disposed of in-house by the producing firms. A relatively small percentage is disposed of either by local authorities or by waste disposal firms on their own sites and the balance is exported for treatment and disposal abroad. I am not in a position to give details of the private sector interests concerned. No waste is shipped to Sellafield.
Existing arrangements in this country for control and disposal of toxic and dangerous wastes derive from the European Communities (Toxic and Dangerous Waste) Regulations, 1982; these are implemented by the local authorities concerned. The recently introduced Environmental Protection Agency Bill, 1990, provides however, for an integrated pollution control licensing system which will include waste disposal aspects to be operated by the agency. In addition, preliminary work on the preparation of a comprehensive new waste Bill is in hands in my Department.