Vol. 550 No. 1
9 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the timetable for the implementation of the national haz ardous waste management strategy published by the Environmental Protection Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6978/02]
The national hazardous waste management plan, NHWMP, relates to the period 2001 to 2006. It makes recommendations in respect of four main areas: implementation of a national hazardous waste prevention programme; improved measures for the collection of hazardous wastes from households, small and medium enterprises, agriculture and other sources of unreported hazardous wastes; provision of requisite infrastructure to attain national self-sufficiency in relation to the recovery and disposal of hazardous wastes; and identification, risk assessment and, where necessary, remediation of sites where hazardous wastes were disposed of in the past.
Under section 26 of the Waste Management Act, 1996, relevant public authorities are required to have regard to the plan and, where they consider it appropriate to do so, to take measures to implement or otherwise give effect to recommendations contained in the plan. The plan recommended the establishment of an implementation committee to co-ordinate its overall implementation and, as indicated in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 307 of 26 February 2002, I will shortly invite a range of business, agricultural and environmental organisations as well as relevant Departments and State agencies to nominate representatives to participate on the proposed implementation committee.
I will also shortly publish a policy statement on preventing and recycling waste, which will include a major national waste prevention programme, encompassing both hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. Improved collection and reception services for hazardous waste from household and commercial sources are already being put in place by local authorities.
As regards infrastructure, the plan identifies a requirement for landfill and thermal treatment capacity for hazardous waste requiring disposal to achieve self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on export outlets. A private company has announced proposals to develop a hazardous waste incineration facility at Ringaskiddy in County Cork. As an exceptional measure, having regard to the polluter pays principle, it is intended that grant assistance will be available under the NDP to support the provision of landfill capacity for hazardous wastes.
The plan outlined a methodology for the identification and risk assessment of closed waste disposal sites. This methodology has since been developed further by the EPA and is currently being applied as a pilot project undertaken by Laois County Council. This pilot project will conclude shortly and is expected to facilitate the development by the EPA of more detailed guidance for local authorities in this matter.
Given that the implementation group to which the Minister referred was recommended by the EPA report last July and that on 6 November last the Minister told me he would shortly establish it, why is he only now inviting the representatives of industry and other interests to make nominations to it? That shows there is no serious intention on his part to implement the national hazardous waste management plan. Does the Minister support the proposed facility at Ringaskiddy in County Cork? Where can hazardous waste be disposed of in the country in accordance with the terms recommended in the EPA report last July?
I regret that the implementation group has not already been set up, but other aspects of waste management and control took precedence. I assure the Deputy the implementation group will be set up quickly. The Deputy will be aware of the constraints placed on me by law in relation to individual planning applications or facilities which might be looking for IPC licences. I will not comment on a specific application for the hazardous waste incineration facility at Ringaskiddy in County Cork. It is best to leave that to the planning authorities, the EPA and the other organisations which have a statutory obligation to make decisions in that regard.
Most of our hazardous waste is exported, which is not a sustainable policy over a period of time. The plan states that 370,000 tonnes of hazardous waste were generated in 1998, which is the last year for which we have figures. Unreported hazardous waste comprised approximately 55,000 tonnes. That was generated by small and medium enterprises and included batteries, paints and agricultural products. Approximately 19,000 tonnes of spent sheep dip is included in that figure. Most of our hazardous waste is exported. Hospital waste is subject to a contract by the Dublin based Sterile Technologies Ireland Limited. We are not self-sufficient, but we must reach that point. According to the EPA plan, that means providing incineration and special closed landfill for hazardous waste sometime in the future.
Is it any wonder that hazardous and hospital waste is being dumped illegally in various parts of the country when the Minister admitted today that there is nowhere in the country for hazardous waste to be disposed of safely or legally? I appreciate that he cannot comment on individual applications. As regards the treatment of hazardous waste, the Minister stated that he was prepared to make grant assistance available for additional landfill capacity. Is he prepared to make grant assistance available for the incineration of hazardous waste? Does he support the incineration of hazardous waste?
I do not know what the Deputy is trying to suggest about the waste management policy. I accept the waste management policy which has been put forward by the EPA. I will not comment on any individual applications, which the Deputy has recognised. It is not a secret that we do not have a place to store hazardous waste – that has been well known for years.
The Minister has done nothing about it.
The Deputy should allow the Minister to reply because we want to move on.
The Minister has done nothing about the 370,000 tonnes of hazardous waste.
My predecessor, who is now in the same party as Deputy Gilmore, did nothing about it either when he introduced the Waste Management Act, 1996.
That is not true. He was the first Minister to introduce the Waste Management Act.
