asked the Minister for the Environment in view of the serious pollution being caused by the dumping of toxic waste, the proposals, if any, he has to provide suitable sites throughout the country for the dumping of such waste.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Toxic Waste Dumping.
43.
The primary responsibility for safe disposal of toxic waste rests with the producer of the waste. I am, however, encouraging local authorities to assist in so far as they can provide suitable facilities.
Under the European Communities (Waste) Regulations, 1979, local authorities are responsible for the planning, organisation, authorisation and supervision of waste operations in their areas and they are required to prepare waste disposal plans. Guidelines have been issued to local authorities by my Department to assist them in the administration of the regulations and they have also been supplied with a draft waste disposal plan for guidance purposes. These plans, which I have requested local authorities to expedite, will indicate the quantities of different types of waste, including hazardous waste, arising and expected to arise in each area and the manner of disposal envisaged for each type of waste. There are no proposals at present before me in regard to the provision of sites specifically for the disposal of toxic waste.
The Deputy will appreciate that there are degrees of toxicity. Some wastes which may be described as toxic can safely be disposed of in association with domestic refuse on landfill sites. Others such as solvents can or are being recycled while certain other categories require to be disposed of at sea or by incineration, possibly abroad. The choice depends on the particular circumstances and the economics of the operation.
Is the Minister aware that there is dire lack of facilities for the dumping of such toxic waste at present and that most toxic refuse dumps being provided by councils are not suitable for that purpose?
Some forms of toxic waste can be dealt with in council refuse dumps, but there are certain types which are not suitable. Draft regulations to implement the EEC directive have been prepared but difficulties which have arisen among the member states concerning the definition of toxic waste have delayed the signature of the draft regulations. We are awaiting clarification of the issue.
Is the Minister aware of the dumping last week which could have led to the loss of human life on a large scale?
Yes, I am aware of it. The delay in signing the regulations has been due to disagreement among the member states.
Because of the seriousness of the position, I wish to refer to the Minister's statement with regard to the 1979 proposals put to local authorities. Is the Minister willing to give any financial aid to councils to provide the facilities in question?
To provide dumps?
Special dumps for toxic waste.
There are two areas under consideration at present. One of them is in Cork and there have been objections. I understand that inspections can now be carried out to determine the suitability of the site and it appears some progress is being made. Objections will be raised in places where it is proposed to site these dumps and they are raised also in regard to dumps for domestic refuse. It is very necessary to have one of these dumps in the Dublin area.
Is there any area where toxic waste can be dumped at present?
There is no specific dump for toxic waste. The people who create this waste also have a responsibility. We are trying to facilitate them by making dumps available in at least two parts of the country.
The Minister should understand that we are not trying to catch him out because it is in the interests of all of us that this problem should be solved. It appears that there is no place in the country where toxic waste can be dumped. I presume the Minister's Department have a list of the firms producing waste with a toxicity level above that of waste disposed of in normal dumps. It would be in the interests of the country generally and of his Department primarily to see that there is some method of collecting and disposing of this waste before another tragedy occurs and there is loss of life.
Progress was being made by Cork County Council but they encountered difficulties which I hope will be resolved. We are trying to get a suitable place in the Dublin area. Some types of toxic waste can be dealt with in domestic refuse dumps and I agree with Deputies Barry and Deasy that special dumps should be provided for the other types of toxic waste. When a site is acquired which appears to be suitable there are usually objectors.
The difficulty in Cork has been going on for three or four years but there is still no dump for toxic waste. Pending the provision of a dump the Minister should make some arrangement to have the waste collected and towed out to sea.
I will follow up the suggestion.
Does the Minister consider that it would be in the national interest for his Department to compile a list of dumps where such waste can be safely disposed of?
There is a list and we can circulate it to local authorities if they have not already been circularised.
Is there a list of the firms likely to produce dangerous toxic waste?
We will get it. The IDA are very involved in the matter of the provision of a dump and we can easily get the information to which the Deputy refers.
Would the Minister consider it worthwhile to appoint an officer to liaise with these firms to ensure that they know their responsibilities in the matter and, perhaps, to get some ideas from them as to a possible solution of the problem?
I will certainly do that if the IDA have not already some form of arrangement. It is suggested that a list of the people who produce this toxic waste should be brought to the attention of the local authorities.
Question No. 44 is for written reply.