Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 22 Oct 1992

Vol. 424 No. 2

Written Answers. - Waste Disposal.

Patrick McCartan

Question:

153 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for the Environment the response to the Environment, Nuclear Safety and Civil Protection Directorate of the European Commission in relation to dumps at Moylaogh and Old Castle as sought by the Directorate under Directives 75/442/EEC (Waste), 78/319/EEC (Toxic Waste), 80/68/EEC (Ground Water), and 75/440/EEC (Surface Water); if he will confirm that the initial request for information was sent to his Department in December, 1991; the reason for the apparent delay in responding; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Patrick McCartan

Question:

154 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for the Environment the response to requests for information received from the Environment, Nuclear Safety and Civil Protection Directorate of the European Commission in relation to dumping at Cregga under Directives 75/442/EEC (Waste), 80/68/EEC (Ground Water), 80/778/EEC (Drinking Water) and 85/337/EEC (Environmental Impact Assessment); if he will confirm that the initial request for information in this regard was sent to his Department in May, 1992; when a full reply will be furnished to the Directorate; the reasons for the delays to date in furnishing such a reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Patrick McCartan

Question:

155 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for the Environment the response to requests from the Environment, Nuclear Safety and Civil Protection Directorate of the European Commission in relation to the treatment and disposal of asbestos in Ireland under Directives 75/442/EEC (Waste), 78/319/EEC (Toxic Waste), 75/440/EEC (Surface Water), 78/659/EEC (Fish Waters), 80/68/EEC (Ground Water), 87/217/EEC (Asbestos) and 84/631/EEC (Transfrontier Shipment of Hazardous Waste); if he will confirm that the initial request for information in this regard was sent to his Department in May, 1991; the reasons for the apparent delay in responding to the Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 153, 154 and 155 together.

The EC Commission's requests (on dates which are substantially as cited) for information on these matters arose primarily from complaints made to them about a range of developmental and operational aspects of particular landfill sites in Ireland. Since local authorities are responsible for waste management planning and control in their areas, it was necessary to consult the local authorities concerned on the extensive and detailed points raised in the Commission's letters. Some of these points necessitated consultation also with other public sector interests in order to ensure a comprehensive response.

In the matter of the Cregga disposal site, it was only necessary to obtain information from a single local authority, Roscommon County Council, and a reply to the Commission was duly issued in August, 1992. This was to the effect that the Cregga site, which was selected from a number of sites for the disposal of charred meat from a major fire at a meat factory in Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon, was suitable for this purpose and that hydrogeological survey confirmed this. The reply also detailed the various monitoring measures which have been put in place to ensure that surface and groundwaters are adequately protected from contamination.

As regards the disposal sites at Moylaogh and Oldcastle, the request for information covered a wide range of issues which involved consultation with local authorities, the Geological Survey of Ireland and the Department of Agriculture and Food. All of the information requested has now been compiled and a response to the Commission will issue shortly.

The Commission communication in relation to the treatment and disposal of asbestos in Ireland called for consultation with an even wider range of interests including Kildare and Laois County Councils, the Electricity Supply Board and the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health, as well as the assembly of a considerable body of supporting documentation. The requisite information is now available to my Department and a comprehensive reply will issue to the Commission in the near future.