Vol. 486 No. 3
221 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will quantify the current requirements in relation to the disposal of domestic waste; his views on the way in which current and future requirements in this regard should be met in view of modern technological advances, the availability of recycling and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2728/98]
In accordance with section 22 of the Waste Management Act, 1996, local authorities are currently preparing waste management plans with regard to prevention, minimisation, collection, recovery and disposal of non-hazardous waste within their functional areas. Under the 1996 Act and the Waste Management (Planning) Regulations, 1997, waste management plans are required to address, inter alia, the matters specified by the Deputy. This planning process is likely to be substantially completed by the end of 1998. As indicated in the reply to Question No. 65 on today's Order Paper, a full statement on national waste management policy will also be published this year to address in detail the factors and practical considerations which are relevant to the achievement of Government policy objectives on waste.
