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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 Oct 2002

Vol. 555 No. 1

Written Answers. - Waste Management.

Bernard Allen

Question:

282 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his policy on the dumping of construction waste on good agricultural land. [17670/02]

The 1998 policy statement, on waste management, Changing our Ways, recognised that the construction industry has primary responsibility for the environmentally sound management of construction waste. Changing our Ways challenged the construction industry to treat construction waste as a resource, and to take practical steps to achieve the recycling of at least 50% of such waste by end 2003, with a progressive increase to at least 85% by 2013. The industry was invited to devise and implement a coherent programme of voluntary measures, involving effective least-cost solutions, to meet these national targets.

In response to the targets set in Changing our Ways, a dedicated task force was established by the Forum for the Construction Industry to co-ordinate the development of a voluntary industry-wide programme to meet the targets. The task force concluded its deliberations and submitted its report, incorporating a comprehensive list of recommendations, last year.

The core recommendation of the task force report was for the establishment of a National Construction and Demolition Waste Council, representative of all relevant sectors, to drive implementation of the recommendations so as to facilitate the achievement of the set targets. The council was launched in June 2002 and is now developing its work programme. The measures identified in the report are directed at a significant reduction in the use of landfill and this will permit both an improvement in environmental quality and more beneficial uses of land.

Questions Nos. 283 and 284 answered with Question No. 180.

Bernard Allen

Question:

285 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the reason Ireland failed to achieve the target of 25% recycling by July 2001 set under the EU Packaging Waste Directive 94/62/EEC; and if the target of between 50% and 65% recycling by 2005 is likely to be achieved. [17673/02]

Under the provisions of Council Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste, Ireland is required to recover a minimum 25% of packaging waste by 2001. Ireland is further required to recover 50-65% of packaging waste by 2005, and also to recycle 25-45% of such waste. The EPA has responsibility for the compilation of national waste statistics.

In accordance with Commission Decision 97/138/EC, pursuant to Council Directive 94/62/EC, the EPA is required to submit annual packaging waste returns to the European Commission within 18 months of the end of the relevant year. The return in respect of 2001 is not likely to be completed until early 2003. However, Repak – the voluntary compliance scheme established by industry to meet Irelands packaging waste recovery targets – has indicated that it has recovered at least 25% of packaging waste in 2001.

The 2005 recovery and recycling targets set for Ireland in the directive are challenging. However, I am confident that these targets can be met in light of a number of initiatives. Following the recent review of the Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations, 1997, by a task force comprising representatives of my Department and relevant stakeholders, I am finalising new waste management packaging regulations which will prohibit the landfilling of recyclable packaging waste.The National Development Plan 2000-2006 anticipates some €825 million capital investment in the development of waste management infrastructure, much of this through public private partnerships. Of this, some €127 million in Exchequer-EU funding will be provided to support the capital cost of waste recovery infrastructure under the local and regional waste management plans. Initial allocations under this waste infrastructure capital grants scheme will be announced shortly.

In addition, revenue generated by the environmental levy on plastic shopping bags and the recently introduced landfill levy will accrue to a dedicated environment fund for use in support of support of a range of environmental initiatives including waste recycling. Repak has developed a comprehensive five-year strategy and work programme in consultation with its stakeholders to facilitate the achievement of the end 2005 targets. It is intended under this strategy simultaneously to ensure increased recycling across all packaging materials.

In effect, the necessary arrangements to underpin a significant increase in national recycling performance – including in respect of packaging waste – are currently being put in place. Having regard to the foregoing, I am confident that the 2005 recovery and recycling targets set for Ireland in Council Directive 94/62/EC will be achieved.

Bernard Allen

Question:

286 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his proposals to accept the recommendation of the National Competitiveness Council regarding waste management. [17674/02]

I understand the National Competitiveness Council will publish a report shortly and I will consider any recommendations on waste management contained in it.

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