Vol. 440 No. 4
8 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment if this country is complying with EU requirements in relation to the disposal of toxic waste; if funds are available from the EU towards the costs involved in providing a toxic waste facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
European Union requirements in relation to hazardous waste have been implemented in Ireland through the following regulations: European Communities (Toxic and Dangerous Waste) Regulations, 1982; European Communities (Waste) Regulations, 1984 relating to the disposal of PCBs and PCTs; European Communities (Transfrontier Shipment of Hazardous Waste) Regulations, 1988; European Communities (Asbestos Waste) Regulations, 1990, and European Communities (Waste Oils) Regulations, 1992.
Regulations to give effect to Directive 91/157/EEC on Batteries and Accumulators containing certain dangerous substances will be made shortly.
The European Commission addressed a reasoned opinion to Ireland in 1993 which, inter alia, alleged that the European Communities (Toxic and Dangerous Waste) Regulations, 1982 incompletely transposed Council Directive 78/319/EEC on Toxic and Dangerous Waste. These proceedings are still in progress, and regard will be had to their implications in the preparation of the Waste Bill.
Waste infrastructure facilities are eligible for European Union co-financing. As indicated in the National Development Plan, the Operational Programme for Environmental Services, 1994-99, will include a sub-programme to assist Ireland in progressing towards the establishment of an integrated and adequate network of waste disposal installations, with appropriate provision for hazardous and non-hazardous waste management and disposal.
Is the Minister aware that Trocaire and Amnesty International have joined Greenpeace in calling on the Government to support a total ban on the export of hazardous waste from OECD countries in compliance with the Basle Convention? Are we prepared to join the other 120 countries who support Denmark's call for a total ban to be set out in the Basle Convention? Will our representatives be in attendance at the meeting in Geneva on the Basle Convention? If so is the Minister prepared to support a total ban on such exports? Is he aware that newspaper reports suggest attempts have been made to entice Third World countries to accept toxic waste — even by way of cash offers? People are concerned that Third World countries are being used as a dumping ground simply because they, unlike other countries, do not realise the damage that toxic waste can do to the environment. I understand that the Minister is examining a case in which Ireland exported asbestos waste to South Africa.
Will the Minister state clearly whether Ireland is prepared to support the Basle Convention and join the other 120 countries seeking a total ban on the export of toxic waste to Third World countries? Does the Government have a programme for the disposal of toxic waste in this country so that we will not need to depend on Third World countries taking our waste?
Ireland does not export hazardous waste to countries other than European Union and EFTA countries. As Deputy Barrett knows, I have fought consistently to meet the terms of the Basle Convention and the need to be self-sufficient in managing our hazardous waste. We depend very considerably on receiving countries in the European Union and EFTA to take our hazardous waste.
We will be represented by the Irish Ambassador to the United Nations and officials from my Department at the Geneva meeting — I will be attending a meeting of the Council of Ministers in Brussels — and the issue before the meeting is whether the Basle Convention should be amended to ban the export of all toxic waste from OECD countries to Third World countries. The convention allows for the export of hazardous waste to Third World countries under very strict controls based on recycling and management control systems that take account of the fears expressed in this regard. I have consistently supported a tighter regime but Deputies will appreciate that it is very important to ensure the Community has a common position. It is very easy for a country with hazardous waste disposal facilities to take an extreme position; unfortunately we are not in that position because we depend on receiving countries in the European Union and EFTA to take our hazardous waste. I want to ensure, therefore, that we have a common position in the Community as this is much better from our point of view in the circumstances in which we do not have sufficient resources to deal with the problem. In spite of those inhibiting factors I have sought a tighter regime to make sure that the Basle Convention, if it is to be changed, would provide more satisfactory arrangements for Third World countries accepting exports from European Union countries.
Is there a great deal of division on this issue in the Council of Ministers? Denmark appears to be sponsoring the Basle Convention yet it appears that Germany and Britain are dragging their feet on the question of banning of exports of toxic waste to Third World countries. Is a common policy developing on providing toxic waste facilities so that no European Union country will have to export its toxic waste outside the European Union, including a facility for the disposal of toxic waste in Ireland?
All European Union countries, with the exception of Luxembourg and Ireland, have facilities for the treatment of hazardous waste. Germany, because of its location, may use facilities in France to a considerable degree. There is no common position but I have worked diligently to achieve one as I think it is the best way to go forward, particularly for a country that cannot stand totally independent on this matter.
