Vol. 494 No. 4
352 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his Department will report on a proposal made to recycle sludge which his Department received some time ago from a private operator; the plans, if any, he has to promote this new venture; if the scale of the job creation from the venture has been outlined; his views on whether the proposal has national significance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18468/98]
At the Deputy's request, officials of my Department met representatives of two companies who outlined proposals for a pilot sludge treatment process involving high temperature treatment in a kiln with fly ash to produce a reuseable light weight aggregate. The question of employment potential was not discussed. The represnentatives were advised to contact local authorities in their area, in the context of the preparation by local authorities of sludge management plans, with a view to exploring the possibility of combined treatment of industrial and municipal sewage sludge. A general review of the national sludge strategy is nearing completion. When completed it will be a matter for local authorities to explore options for treatment-disposal solutions within the context of the strategy.
