Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 May 2005
140 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether small electrical retail outlets will have a difficulty in fulfilling their obligations under the EU directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16417/05]
View answerThe EU directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment, WEEE, which came into effect on 13 February 2003, presents a challenge to all relevant stakeholder groups, including retailers, both large and small, and effective implementation will require a focused, committed approach from all concerned.
Draft regulations, which will transpose the directive into Irish law, have now just completed a period of public consultation. These regulations were prepared by my Department, working closely with the relevant public sector and industry stakeholders through a dedicated WEEE task force. Retailer interests are represented on this task force, which was established in February 2003.
In order to minimise the regulatory burden of the WEEE directive, the draft regulations propose that retailers be allowed to avail of an exemption from the normal waste permitting requirements for the storage and transport of WEEE in certain circumstances. Under the modified regime, which will be considerably less burdensome than the normal collection and waste permitting requirements, retailers will be required to register their premises with their local authority.
In recognition that some retailers, particularly those operating in the centre of a town, may have difficulties in catering for WEEE, the draft regulations also propose that retailers may, subject to the agreement of the appropriate local authorities, make alternative arrangements to in-store take-back, provided that such arrangements are not more inconvenient for the purchaser and remain free of charge.
My Department has made every effort to include all stakeholders, including retailers, in the process of developing the draft regulations. The draft regulations are balanced and take account of the circumstances of those affected by the directive. I have, as part of the consultation process which has now ended, met with the retailers' representatives to discuss the draft regulations. All comments and submissions received will be considered by my Department in finalising the regulations, which I intend to make in advance of the coming into effect of the directive on 13 August 2005.
141 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will publish final regulations in relation to waste management plans for construction and demolition waste; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16434/05]
View answerThe Government's policy statement, Changing Our Ways, September 1998, provided a framework for the adoption and implementation by local authorities of strategic waste management plans under which specific national objectives and targets would be achieved. It set out specific targets for the recycling of at least 50% of construction and demolition, C&D, waste by end 2003 rising progressively to at least 85% by end 2013.
A National Construction and Demolition Waste Council was established by the construction industry in June 2002 as a voluntary producer responsibility initiative to facilitate the achievement of the national C&D waste recycling targets. In September 2004, the council launched its voluntary construction industry initiative which involves all key participants in the construction industry committing to a series of specific actions that have the overall objective of increasing recycling rates for C&D waste. The initiative aims to concentrate on the major waste fractions in the early years and establish the most suitable practices for Ireland through practical experience. It is envisaged that further steps will be initiated at a later stage to focus on the remaining elements of C&D waste.
In tandem with the launch of the voluntary construction industry initiative, my Department announced new draft best practice guidelines on the preparation of waste management plans for construction and demolition projects for public consultation. The aim of the draft guidelines is to promote an integrated approach to C&D waste management throughout the duration of a project and ensure the projects are designed to promote sustainable development, environmental protection and optimum use of resources. The guidelines introduce the concept of on-site C&D waste management plans which would apply to projects above certain specified thresholds. It is my intention to finalise the draft guidelines as soon as possible following a comprehensive evaluation of the submissions recently received from the public consultation process. The finalised guidelines will be submitted to the National Construction and Demolition Waste Council for its formal endorsement.
My Department has developed revised draft waste permitting regulations which address a number of issues, including the permitting of inert soil and construction type wastes that are being used for the purposes of land reclamation and other similar activities. I intend to publish these draft regulations shortly for public consultation.
