Waste Disposal.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 December 2004

Thursday, 16 December 2004

Questions (237)

David Stanton

Question:

237 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to the waste management pay by weight systems being introduced by local authorities nationwide, if he has issued or intends to issue guidelines or advice on the way in which disposable nappies are to be dealt with in view of the fact that the extra weight involved will lead to highly increased costs to, in the main, young parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34051/04]

Written answers

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

The 2004 policy statement, Waste Management: Taking Stock and Moving Forward, indicated the intention to move in 2005 to a weight-volume-based system of waste charges on a national basis. It is a matter for the local authorities, whether as direct service providers or waste collection permitting authorities, to oversee this transition to weight-volume-based charging. Service providers will be allowed discretion as to the precise systems to be used, provided that the fundamental principle of use-based charging is respected. My Department does not, therefore, intend to issue detailed guidance on the precise arrangements to be applied locally in regard to this matter.