Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Jun 1993

Vol. 431 No. 8

Written Answers. - Hospital Waste Disposal.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

15 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health the action, if any, he proposes to take in the light of reports that James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, is considering recommissioning an incinerator having regard to the fact that modern technology provides alternatives to the polluting and imperfect technology which incinerators have proven to be; and if he will recommend to the relevant authorities that consideration be given to other forms of dealing with hospital waste such as microwaving and dry storage as such technologies have been proven to be safe in other countries.

Máirín Quill

Question:

64 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Health the progress, if any, which has been made in his Department with the formulation of a health service waste policy; and if, in view of the legitimate concern of residents who live in the environs of hospitals regarding the effects that emissions from incinerators are having on the health of their community, he will expedite the adoption and implementation of a suitable policy that would eliminate these health hazards.

Máirín Quill

Question:

78 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Health the steps, if any, he proposes to take to require that all new hospitals and all extensions to existing hospitals will put in place the most up-to-date technologies for their disposal of waste materials, toxic and otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 64 and 78 together.

I understand that the Eastern Health Board has upgraded an incinerator at James Connolly Memorial Hospital and proposes to use it in the short term to dispose of a portion of its clinical waste.

My Department is aware of the technologies that are emerging as possible alternatives to incineration and is monitoring the development of a number of these technologies. A proposal to hold a trial of the shredding and microwaving method in the Dublin area is under consideration. It is hoped that this trial will provide valuable information on the suitability of this disposal method in Irish conditions.

Considerable progress has been made in the formulation of a health service waste policy and the final draft is now being prepared. The implementation of the policy will take account of existing hospitals, new hospitals and extensions to existing hospitals.