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Waste Management Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 July 2013

Wednesday, 17 July 2013

Questions (196)

John Deasy

Question:

196. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government about the regulations and control systems that are in place to ensure Ireland complies with current, and proposed European Commission legislation, on national inspections of waste shipments; if he will detail the location from which waste shipments leave here; the frequency at which they depart Irish shores; and the location of their first port of call and ultimate destination in each case. [35829/13]

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Written answers

The legislative framework for the import and export of waste in the European Union is set out in Regulation (EC) No. 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Under the Waste Management (Shipments of Waste) Regulations 2007, Dublin City Council was designated as the National Competent Authority for all waste exports and imports and the National Transfrontier Waste Shipment Office (NTFSO) was established under the auspices of Dublin City Council. The primary aim of the Regulations is to prevent the illegal shipment of waste abroad, and to assist businesses engaged in legitimate waste export activities.

In 2008, Dublin City Council was also designated as the competent authority for the Waste Management (Registration of Brokers and Dealers) Regulations 2008. The purpose of the Regulations is to provide for a registration system of waste brokers and dealers who arrange for the shipment of waste to and from Ireland and also the passage of waste through the State.

The NTFSO’s dedicated enforcement team bases its enforcement activities on an annual risk-based Recommended minimum Criteria for Environmental Inspections Plan. The team ensures that enforcement of the Regulations is consistent and proportional, while facilitating exports of waste for re-use in Europe and Asia. The enforcement team has developed working links with An Garda Síochána, Revenue’s Customs Service, the EU Network for the Implementation of Environmental Law (IMPEL), and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

Statistics and information on shipments of waste to and from Ireland, including ports used, are not kept by my Department. Such information is available from the NTFSO, which compiles an annual register for movement of both Amber and Green list waste. Amber list waste refers to hazardous waste. All Amber listed waste destined for recovery, and all shipments of Amber-listed waste destined for disposal, are subject to prior notification and consent procedures in accordance with Articles 3 and 4 of EU Regulation 1013/2006. Green Listed waste refers to shipments of non-hazardous waste for recovery within and from the EU.

The latest registers compiled by the NTFSO deal with 2012. Information can also be obtained on historical shipments from the National Waste Reports published annually by the EPA and which are available on its website at www.epa.ie.

With regard to proposed EU amendments to the EU legislation, these will be examined in due course by my Department in accordance with normal negotiating procedures in such matters.

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