Waste Management.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004

Tuesday, 27 April 2004

Questions (774)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

834 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government , further to Parliamentary Question No. 534 of 16 December 2003, his views on the research report on adverse pregnancy outcomes around incinerators and crematoriums in Cumbria, north-west England, between 1956 and 1993, particularly the finding that there was a significantly increased risk of lethal congenital anomaly, specifically spina bifida and heart defects, with proximity to incinerators; and if he will make a statement on the danger that incinerators pose to health and the implications these findings have for the Government’s incinerator policy. [12002/04]

Written answers

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

The research report referred to falls to be considered in the context of the examination of the report of the Health Research Board entitled Health and Environmental effects of Landfill and Incineration of Waste. The HRB report is the subject of ongoing consideration between my Department, the Department of Health and Children and the Environmental Protection Agency. I will make a statement on the matter as soon as this consideration has been completed.