Vol. 423 No. 8
68 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for the Environment his views on the implications for the management of all landfill sites in Ireland in the light of the action taken by the Environment Directorate of the European Commission against the Government in relation to suspected breaches of European Community directives, in regard to the mismanagement and lack of suitability of Cork city sanitary landfill site.
No legal action has been taken by the EC Commission against the Irish Government in relation to the Cork city landfill site at Kinsale Road. There has been correspondence from the Commission on the matter and a further detailed reply to them is being compiled.
As regards landfill sites generally, there are longstanding guidelines from my Department to local authorities on management and operational aspects. The Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 will require the new Agency as soon as practicable to specify and publish criteria for the selection, management, operation and termination of use of landfill sites.
New landfill sites are generally subject to environmental impact assessment. Further requirements on landfill which are being developed at EC level are likely to include more stringent controls on landfill practice, and national waste disposal policy will be developed in line with these requirements.
