Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
805 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if waste management policy commitments (details supplied) included in the Government’s waste policy document, Preventing and Recycling Waste — Delivering Change, of 2002 have been implemented; and in the case of policy commitments which have not been implemented, the reason therefor. [11626/04]
View answerThe establishment of a separate national waste management board has been deferred, as I consider that current requirements will be better served by direct political leadership of the process of implementing nationwide all regional and local waste management plans. I have made clear, since assuming office as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, my determination to provide this leadership in a clear and proactive way.
The position in relation to the other commitments contained in my Department's policy document delivering change published in March 2002, is as follows: first, the proposed national waste prevention programme aimed at delivering substantial results on waste prevention and minimisation across all waste streams was launched earlier this month. The programme is being led by a core prevention team within the EPA in consultation with other stakeholders. Funding of €2 million from the environment fund is being provided for the programme in 2004. Second, a market development group, aimed at the development of new applications and markets for reclaimed recyclable material was launched earlier this month. The work of this group will be of crucial importance in the development of a sustainable recycling sector and if the overall recycling effort is to be successful. Enterprise Ireland is providing the necessary administrative supports and I have allocated an initial €1 million from the environment fund to support the group's activities. Third, it is intended to establish the proposed recycling consultative forum later this year to act as a consultative and advisory body on all aspects of recycling and also to identify actions not yet being undertaken that have the potential to further stimulate and encourage recycling. Fourth, an enhanced producer responsibility function has been established within the EPA and will complement the work of the core prevention team.
Enforcement of producer responsibility initiatives will be intensified under the new office of environmental enforcement. Under the enhanced brief the EPA will be responsible for the identification of suitable waste streams-materials for future producer responsibility initiatives. Fifth, a draft national strategy for biodegradable waste setting out a range of integrated measures aimed at significantly increasing the recycling of biodegradable municipal waste has also been published and is now the subject of public consultation. Sixth, in relation to the development of a public service waste management programme, my Department has already issued a green Government guide to other Departments. It is intended that a broader public sector waste management programme will be developed as a priority in the next phase of waste awareness and communications activities to be initiated after the current phase of the race against waste campaign concludes in the summer of 2004.
