Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 November 2004
282 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the policy of the Government on the matter of thermal treatment of asbestos; the Government’s views on this as a method of disposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30763/04]
View answerGovernment policy on waste management is set out in the policy documents Changing our Ways, 1998, Preventing and Recycling Waste: Delivering Change, 2002, and Taking Stock and Moving Forward, 2004. The Government's approach is based on the internationally recognised waste management hierarchy of prevention-minimisation, significantly increased levels of recycling, energy recovery and utilising landfill as the last resort for residual waste that cannot otherwise be recovered.
The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for the preparation of the national hazardous waste management plan, NHWMP, with regard to the following: the prevention and minimisation of hazardous waste; the recovery of hazardous waste; the collection and movement of hazardous waste; and the disposal of such hazardous waste as cannot be prevented or recovered. Any proposed form of treatment or disposal of asbestos would have to be consistent with the NHWMP and subject to stringent EPA licensing requirements.
