Róisín Shortall
Question:198 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the reasons for the delay in introducing regulations as provided for under the Waste Management Act, 1996 to allow local authorities grant permits to collect waste; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that this delay has caused to local authorities who are seeking to ensure an effective waste management regime within their functional areas; the state of preparation of the draft regulations for this purpose; when he intends to bring these regulations into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11352/98]