Vol. 508 No. 3
291 Ms Clune asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the regulations, if any, to control the burning of copper in the open air; the methods used to implement these regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18853/99]
The Air Pollution Act, 1987 (Licensing of Industrial Plant) Regulations, 1988 (S.I. No. 266 of 1988), prohibit the operation of industrial plants used for the extraction or recovery, by burning or by the application of heat, of, inter alia, copper from any scrap metal or alloy, waste material or residue including scrap or waste cable, without a licence under the Act being in force. The Air Pollution Act, 1987 (No. 6 of 1987) defines industrial plant to include any land which is used for the purpose of an industrial process; industrial process is defined to include the recovery, by burning, of copper from scrap metal or alloy, waste material or waste cable.
The licensing of such industrial plant and the enforcement of regulations made under the Act are matters for the relevant local authority. Local authorities have powers under sections 26 and 27 of the Act to prevent or limit air pollution affecting any part of their functional area or any adjoining area.
In addition, depending on the circumstances, the burning of copper waste requires a licence from the environmental protection agency under the Environmental Protection Agency Act or the Waste Management Act, 1996, or a waste permit from the relevant local authority, as appropriate.
292 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on whether an incinerator should not be built until two years after the proposed new directive on incineration comes into force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18861/99]
EU Environment Ministers recently agreed a common position on a proposed directive on the incineration of waste, which aims to consolidate and extend the scope of existing directives relating to the incineration of municipal and hazardous wastes.
The Minister for the Environment and Local Government strongly supports the stringent operational controls and emission standards which are contained in this proposal, and looks forward to its early adoption by the community. Once adopted, this directive will be formally transposed into Irish legislation without delay.
In any event however, high standards of environmental protection already apply in relation to the incineration of waste. The strict control regime which is provided for in the proposed directive has largely been anticipated under the integrated pollution control – IPC – licensing system operated by the environmental protection agency – EPA. The EPA may not grant an integrated licence unless, among other considerations, it is satisfied that the activity concerned will not endanger human health or harm the environment. Accordingly, I do not consider that any deferral along the lines suggested is warranted.
