Avril Doyle
Question:9 Mrs. Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment whether he will make the reduction of waste at source an absolute priority in Ireland's waste policy.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Waste Reduction.
As stated in the National Development Plan, the Government recognises the need for Irish waste policy to reflect the primacy accorded in EU policy to waste prevention, reduction and reuse. The Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992, makes important provision in this regard by incorporating prevention and elimination of waste as explicit criteria in the new system of integrated pollution control to be operated by the agency.
The new waste Bill, which is now being drafted, will also provide legislative support for waste prevention and reduction policies. A recently published consultants' report for my Department on clean technologies is intended to encourage further initiatives by the public and private sectors in this area.
Waste recovery and waste disposal, carried out in accordance with strict environmental standards, will also remain valid options in terms of waste management in Ireland and other countries.
I thank the Minister for his response. I know that my constituency colleague beside him has a particular interest in this area. Does the Minister agree that waste reduction at source is an absolute priority? There was no reference to this in the Programme for Government. Will the Minister confirm, particularly in view of the fact that the waste Bill will be introduced soon, that the Bill will be constructed in such a way that absolute priority will be given to reducing waste? Will the Minister give the latest figures for municipal waste generated per annum? The only figures I can find are those in an An Foras Forbartha report of 1987 which relate to 1984-85. We need up to date data on this matter.
In answer to the first part of the question, the hierarchy of waste management policies gives primacy to waste minimisation. That is the first aim, followed by reuse and recycling, the introduction of clean technologies and, finally, the management of the residual waste arising from that. I am unable off the top of my head to give the volume of municipal waste but I think — I could be wrong — it is probably as close to two million tonnes as makes no difference. The level of waste is increasing at the rate of approximately 3 per cent per annum, which is phenomenal. A real attempt has to be made, not only through legislation dealing with waste but also through Community measures, to reduce the volume of waste which presents great problems both in terms of cost and the management of our environment generally.
When will the waste Bill be published?
It has been approved by the Government and it should be published early in the New Year.