Written Answers. - Waste Management.
Trevor Sargent
Question:
240
Mr. Sargent
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
the plans he has in view of the fact that many local authorities have rejected incineration as a means of waste disposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24854/00]
Ivan Yates
Question:
246
Mr. Yates
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
the Government's policy in relation to thermal treatment as part of a waste management strategy; the steps the Government is taking in relation to the implementation of the waste management policy in the context of the rejection of regional and county waste management plans by many local authorities; the number of waste management plans in place to deal with the next number of years waste management requirements; and the number of these plans which have adopted thermal treatment or incineration as an option.
[24885/00]
Ivan Yates
Question:
252
Mr. Yates
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
if he will put in place a national waste management plan; and if he will establish a national waste management authority.
[24891/00]
Ivan Yates
Question:
301
Mr. Yates
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
if his Department has carried out an assessment of the agreement in relation to regional waste management plans; and the areas of the country for which no plan has been agreed.
[24972/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 240, 246, 252 and 301 together.
The 1998 policy statement, Changing our Ways, recommended that local authorities identify and assess a range of waste treatment technologies, with a view to the development of an integrated waste management infrastructure appropriate to their particular circumstances.
Thermal treatment of waste, carried on in accordance with high environmental standards, is regarded as environmentally preferable to the disposal of waste by landfill, and plays a major part in municipal waste management in many EU countries, and further afield. Accordingly, Changing our Ways proposed that, where technically and economically feasible, and subject to appropriate attention to materials recycling, incineration with energy recovery or other advanced thermal processes are among the treatment options which should be considered in an integrated waste management strategy. That remains the case.
Thirty-four local authorities are required to make waste management plans under the Waste Management Act, 1996. Of these, 31 authorities engaged in making either regional waste management plans, or individual waste management plans that reflected a common strategic approach.
To date, 28 authorities have adopted waste management plans either on individual or regional basis under the 1996 Act, four authorities – Galway Corporation and Galway, Laois and Louth County Councils – have rejected the relevant regional plan, while two authorities – Cork Corporation and Longford County Council – have yet to formally consider relevant plans. A total of 23 authorities, in six regional groups, have adopted waste management plans which provide,inter alia, for thermal treatment of waste.
It is imperative that the remaining local authorities complete the current strategic planning process as soon as possible. Accordingly, I am considering the possible use of a number of powers that are available to me under the Waste Management Act, 1996, with a view to expediting the completion of this process, and I am taking legal advice in this regard.
The development of a national waste management plan or the establishment of a national waste management authority are possible options which might be considered in any medium to long-term review of our approach to waste management. However, I do not consider that they offer any prospect of short-term advantage.
Question No. 241 taken with Question No. 148.
