Michael McDowell
Question:26 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for the Environment the information his Department has about safe incinerators; his views on whether such a concept is viable; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Safety of Incinerators.
Incineration is widely used internationally as a means both of disposing of different kinds of waste and of industrial and energy production. Incineration of waste and industrial/energy incineration are licensable processes or activities under the Air Pollution Act, 1987, and the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992. Licensing would embody appropriate conditions to prevent and limit pollution and must, inter alia, be based on use of best practicable means or of best available technology not entailing excessive costs.
EC legislation also sanctions the use of incineration on the basis of strict controls designed to ensure the protection of health and the environment. Council Directive 89/369/EEC provides for emission standards and other controls to prevent and limit air pollution from municipal waste incineration plants. A draft Directive providing for control of hazardous waste incineration is currently being examined by COREPER. EC directives also provide for specific limits on emissions arising from large combustion plants and plants which burn waste oils as fuel.