Vol. 490 No. 5
42 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that existing hazardous waste incinerators may not be subjected to the EU operating standards emission limit values and other requirements before July 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10539/98]
High standards of environmental protection are applied to the incineration of hazardous waste in the context of the licensing of such activities by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992. The agency has issued seven licences for such activities.
Council Directive 94/67/EC of 16 December 1994 establishes common standards to be applied throughout the European Community in relation to the incineration of hazardous waste. The standards, emission limit values and other requirements specified to protect the quality of air, soil and water apply to new incineration plant from 1 January 1997 and existing plant from 1 July 2000. However, they have been anticipated in the comprehensive licensing system implemented by the EPA.
The European Communities (Licensing of Incinerators of Hazardous Waste) Regulations, 1998, transposed the directive into Irish law. The regulations require review, on or before 1 July 2000, of licences granted on or before 31 December 1996, in accordance with the formal requirements of the directive. It is a matter for the EPA to carry out such reviews. I understand that an early review of licences is intended by the EPA.
