Vol. 572 No. 5
58 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government if his Department has evaluated the research by a team from the University of Newcastle, UK, on adverse pregnancy outcomes around Cumbria from 1956 to 1993, published on 29 June 2003 by a publication (details supplied); and the impact of this study on the advice being given to local authorities on ways in which to reduce waste levels. [23628/03]
Appropriate consideration is being given to the study in the context of the examination, involving my Department, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Health and Children, of the Health Research Board report on landfilling and incineration and the related Environmental Protection Agency inventory of dioxin emissions to the Irish environment.
In formulating regional waste management plans, local authorities have been encouraged to adopt the internationally recognised waste management hierarchy of prevention, minimisation, significantly increased levels of recycling, energy recovery and utilising landfill as a last resort for residual waste that cannot otherwise be recovered. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency continues to implement its rigorous environmental licensing system in respect of all significant waste facilities with the objective of ensuring that such activities do not present a significant risk to public health or the environment.
