Vol. 429 No. 6
147 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for the Environment if, in view of the fact that EC States will be able to ban the import of waste originating in another EC country and destined for disposal, he will give details of the steps, if any, he has taken to ensure that our waste can be treated since heretofore we have sent it to the UK and elsewhere for processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Wexford): EC Council Regulation (EEC) 259/93 on the supervision and control of shipments of waste within, into and out of the European Communities provides that member states may take appropriate measures to prohibit generally or partially or to object systematically to shipments of waste from outside their territories. However, this provision does not apply in the case of hazardous waste produced in a member state of shipment in such small quantities that the provision of new specialised waste disposal installations within that state would be uneconomic. Any difficulty arising between member states with regard to the implementation of these provisions may be referred to the European Commission, which may determine the issue in accordance with specified procedures.
Irish policy in relation to disposal of hazardous wastes was set out in the Environment Action Programme. This recognised the need to ensure sophisticated and safe methods of disposing of these wastes. Without prejudice to the overall policy established in the Environment Action Programme, my Department has for some time been conducting a more detailed review of hazardous waste management requirements in light of various developments since 1990. It is intended to finalise this review very shortly in the context of the new National Development Plan.
