Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 Oct 2002

Vol. 555 No. 1

Written Answers. - Waste Management.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

23 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when it is intended to establish the national waste management advisory board promised in An Agreed Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17363/02]

Bernard Allen

Question:

277 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his plans to establish a national waste management agency as recommended by the National Competitiveness Council. [17665/02]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 277 together.

The Agreed Programme for Government includes structural initiatives for better waste management, including enhanced prevention, reuse and recycling, as already identified in the Government policy statement, Preventing and Recycling Waste, published in March 2002. I will pursue the establishment of the national waste management board within the framework of my overall commitment to rapid implementation, nationwide, of regional and local waste management plans. Issues relevant to the establishment of the board are currently under consideration.