Vol. 544 No. 4
204 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether the proposed re-use of bottom ash from municipal incinerators in road building and construction represents a risk to health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29222/01]
At present there are no incineration facilities for dealing with municipal waste in operation here. I am advised by the Department of the Environment and Local Government that pulverised fuel ash from solid fuel power stations here is occasionally used as a component in some road building materials. The development of policy on waste management including the use of incineration for refuse disposal is the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment and Local Government and the Environmental Protection Agency – EPA. The Minister for the Environment and Local Government has recently commissioned a study into the health impact of landfill sites and incinerators to be conducted by the Health Research Board. I am advised that emissions arising from the recovery of bottom ash will be encompassed in this study.
