Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 3

Written Answers. - Clinical Waste.

Seamus Brennan

Question:

81 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Health his views on the immediate closure to Ireland of British clinical waste facilities (details supplied); the proposals, if any, he has to address the potentially serious situation which will exist for Irish hospitals and other specialist areas as a result of this closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18904/96]

Batt O'Keeffe

Question:

88 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself that the provision of a ten year plan for the treatment of clinical waste is well founded. [18956/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 88 together.

I have been aware for some time of the United Kingdom waste plan which, with some exceptions, seeks to prevent the importation of clinical waste for incineration in the United Kingdom.

I have raised the matter of the continued export to the United Kingdom, on a temporary basis, of healthcare risk waste arising in Ireland with the Secretary of State for Health in the United Kingdom. In addition, the Department of the Environment has made a written submission to the United Kingdom Department of the Environment seeking an exemption to the imports ban in respect of healthcare risk waste from Ireland.

I understand that some of the waste management contractors exporting waste to the United Kingdom for incineration have recently been unable to obtain new licences. Arising from this development, further representations have been made to the United Kingdom Department of the Environment, and outlets for this waste are also being sought in other EU member states.

In the meantime, my Department has advised the health agencies that healthcare risk waste should be stored in refrigerated conditions until such time as alternative disposal facilities are available.

The longer-term solution lies in the tendering process for the transportation, treatment and disposal of healthcare risk waste. This process is being managed by an expert group representative of the health services, here and in Northern Ireland, and I am satisfied that their proposals are well founded.