Bernard J. Durkan
Question:133 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of locations throughout the country at which illegal dumping has taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31310/01]
Written Answers. - Waste Disposal.
Under section 59 of the Waste Management Act, 1996, and without prejudice to the right of the Environmental Protection Agency to perform the functions conferred on it under the Act, each local authority is generally responsible for the supervision and enforcement of the relevant provisions of the Act in relation to the holding, recovery or disposal of waste within its functional area. I have no direct function in this regard. Accordingly, it is a matter in the first instance for local authorities to address the incidence of unauthorised waste disposal activities, using the very significant powers and remedies which are available under the 1996 Act. While I am aware of specific cases of unauthorised waste disposal, which may involve both recent activity and activity which has ceased some considerable time ago, I have no information on the number of locations that might be involved nationally.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:134 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the procedure for disposal of hospital waste, including radioactive material; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31311/01]
The Waste Management Act, 1996, places a general duty on holders of waste not to hold, transport, recover or dispose of waste in a manner that causes, or is likely to cause, environmental pollution. It is a matter for waste holders to make appropriate arrangements for the recovery or disposal of waste. Arrangements for the disposal of clinical waste, including healthcare risk waste, are a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Health and Children.
Under current procedures, healthcare risk waste should be carefully segregated from other wastes within each hospital. Detailed guidance on the segregation and packaging of healthcare risk waste has been in circulation to all appropriate public hospitals for some time. Non-hazardous wastes may be disposed of using commercial waste contractors.
Under joint arrangements agreed by the Department of Health and Children here and the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland, a single contract for the management of healthcare risk waste, other than radioactive waste, is in place in both jurisdictions. The contracted company collects segregated healthcare risk waste from publicly funded hospitals, sterilises it, carries out an element of materials recovery and recycling, and landfills the sterilised residue. It is understood that private hospitals also avail of this service.
The company concerned is required to operate its collection and treatment service to the highest environmental and health and safety standards. Its facilities are licensed by the Environmental Protection Agency, which monitors compliance with licence conditions.
I have no function in relation to the management of radioactive hospital wastes. The Waste Management Act, 1996, does not apply to radioactive substances. However, I understand that all hospitals in Ireland have to comply with the requirements of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, for the provision of licences for the use and disposal of radioactive materials. The exercise of controls in this regard is a matter for the RPII.