Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 Apr 2003

Vol. 564 No. 1

Written Answers - National Waste Management Plan.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

126 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the progress he has made in regard to the implementation of the National Waste Management Plan; the likely progress of the plan; the degree to which landfill remains a part of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8806/03]

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

The National Hazardous Waste Management Plan – NHWMP – relates to the period 2001-06. It makes recommendations in respect of four main areas, namely, 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 it. Improved collection and reception services for hazardous waste from household and commercial sources are already being put in place by local authorities, and capital grant assistance is available from my Department in respect of the reception facilities concerned.

With regard to infrastructure, the plan identifies a requirement for landfill and thermal treatment capacity for hazardous waste requiring disposal, so as to achieve self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on export outlets. In principle, this infrastructure could be provided either by local authorities or the private sector, though local authorities have no statutory responsibility in this regard. As an exceptional measure, notwithstanding the polluter pays principle, grant assistance is available under the national development plan to incentivise the early provision of landfill capacity for hazardous wastes. With regard to incineration, a private company has announced proposals to develop a hazardous waste incineration facility at Ringaskiddy, County Cork, as a wholly commercial venture with adequate capacity to meet current national needs.

The NHWMP 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 applied as a pilot project undertaken by Laois County Council. Following the completion of this project towards the end of last year, the EPA is expected during 2003 to develop and publish more detailed guidance for local authorities in this matter. The plan recommended the establishment of an implementation committee to co-ordinate its overall implementation.

In the policy statement "Preventing and Recycling Waste – Delivering Change" published last year, a range of organisational and policy initiatives were outlined in support of more effective waste management. These include the establishment of a core prevention team within the EPA to implement a major national waste prevention programme that will encompass both hazardous and non-hazardous waste, focus on the elimination of waste from manufacturing, and improvements in the environmental performance of products. This initiative will be advanced as rapidly as possible. I am also establishing a separate committee to oversee the implementation of the non-prevention aspects of the NHWMP. My Department has invited a range of business, agricultural and environmental organisations, as well as relevant Departments and State agencies, to nominate representatives to participate on this committee, which is expected shortly to commence its work.