asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the fact that it would be economical to arrange to have the appropriate products which can be recycled collected on a national basis, he will take the initiative and thereby relieve the local authorities of their responsibility in this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Recycling of Products.
64.
Local authorities have no specific responsibilities in relation to recycling. However, I am anxious that they should do whatever they can, in the context of their functions in relation to waste disposal, to promote conservation of resources and that the possibilities in this regard should be examined.
A preliminary report on recycling possibilities in relation to some waste products has been completed by a Foras Forbartha working group and the further development of this work is now being considered. If the Deputy can supply any evidence in support of his contentions in this matter, it can be taken into account. At this stage my impression is that the economics and practicalities of recycling are not as straightforward as his question implies.
I understand there could be an economic collection of particular types of wastage in the greater Dublin area but that if the collection were to be done on a national basis there could be set up a profitable industry.
Deputy Lemass is confusing the issue. Some of the bigger cities in England have found this possible but the cost of collection in those cities is very much less than what it would be for this whole country. It is simply a question of volume. However, the matter is being considered and we shall await the outcome.
It could be a means of reducing the rates.
One type of wastage that comes to mind is waste paper. Waste paper collections were gathering momentum, particularly by charitable organisations who were anxious to raise funds for the causes in which they were interested. These organisations both collected and delivered the waste paper, but this activity has stopped for a number of reasons and only 40 per cent of waste paper products are now being collected. Is the Minister aware that the Minister for Industry and Commerce gave permission for waste paper to be imported from America?
This would seem to be a separate matter.
This has nothing to do with me, but Deputy Power must be aware that the waste paper being imported from America is on a longstanding order which was not given by my colleague but by the Deputy's colleague while Fianna Fáil were in office. This is a contract that has been in operation for some time. I disagree with the idea of importing waste paper but I am told that one of the main reasons why it is being imported in small volumes now is that my colleague has stemmed the volume being imported. Suppliers are now using wrapping paper much more sparingly with the result that there is not as much waste paper for use by the factories who utilise this type of waste. Suppliers are determined to use as little wrapping as possible. To use Deputy Lemass's phrase, this is a new type of recycling but it is an idea that can be both good and bad.
Question No. 65.
Is the Minister aware that the people who collected waste paper during the years in which this party were in office had no difficulty in disposing of it? These people are not concerned as much with politics as is the Minister, but they are concerned about having being deprived of this means of helping their organisations.
The Chair has called the next question.
I do not wish to drag out this discussion except to point out that Deputy Power is mistaken. So far as I am aware the collection of waste paper on any sort of big scale did not begin until about 18 months' ago.
I am thinking in particular of a Christian Brother in New-bridge who had been collecting waste paper for six years. If the Minister wishes, I can let him have a copy of the letter which this gentleman sent me.
This would seem to be a separate matter.
Would the Minister not regard most of the Government's White Papers as coming within the category of waste paper?
There is a lot of material which came from our predecessors and which we would like to recycle but, unfortunately, it is still there.