Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2009
319 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding his policy on incineration; if he plans to change this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46660/09]
View answerGovernment policy in relation to waste management is grounded in the internationally recognised hierarchy of waste options. The most favoured option is waste prevention, followed by minimisation, reuse, recycling, recovery and the least favoured option of disposal to landfill. This commitment to the waste hierarchy has added significance in the context of the requirements of the EU Landfill Directive to divert waste from landfill. Meeting this obligation will entail doubling the level of diversion from landfill by 2010 and further increases in diversion in subsequent years.
The Programme for Government agreed in 2007 included a number of objectives relating to waste management, among them a commitment to carry out an international review of waste management plans, practices and procedures and to act on the conclusions. An important milestone was reached recently with the delivery of the report of consultants engaged to carry out a study to underpin the conclusion of the review. This report will act as a launching pad for the policies we now need to mark a new departure in our approach to waste management. I intend to develop a new waste and resource management Bill and a policy statement on waste management arising from recommendations in the report, which I shall bring to Government as soon as possible in 2010. This will set a policy context which will ensure that waste management services are delivered by the public and private sectors in an environmentally progressive and cost efficient manner.
