asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the problems being created nationally in both urban and rural areas by litter and refuse; if, in view of the anti-litter laws now operating in the country and of the fact that the Government have introduced charges for refuse collection throughout the country, he will introduce a national scheme to ensure that there are ample locations throughout the country for the disposal of all types of refuse in both urban and rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the situation.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Refuse Disposal.
1.
Local authorities have a wide range of powers and obligations in relation to control of litter and waste disposal. The Litter Act, 1982, enables local authorities to make effective arrangements for the control of litter with a view to improving the quality of the physical environment in both urban and rural areas. Under the European Communities (Waste) Regulations, 1979, they are responsible for the planning, authorisation and supervision of waste operations and must prepare waste disposal plans identifying the quantities and types of waste arising in their functional areas. These plans must include an assessment of the adequacy of existing collection and disposal facilities, provide for suitable disposal sites and for any special arrangements needed for particular wastes. Detailed advice on the selection, design and management of tipsites has been issued to local authorities by my Department.
The general strategy for dealing with waste includes the establishment of a central waste facility to handle limited quantities and types of waste, which will initially be bulked up and exported, for which environmentally acceptable alternative means of disposal are not available in this country. It also includes the development by local authorities of a network of co-disposal sites at which industrial waste can be safely disposed of to landfill in conjunction with other ordinary waste, and the upgrading by local authorities of their existing tipheads to more acceptable environmental standards.
Would the Minister agree that the disposal of both industrial and domestic waste is a major problem throughout the country and also that local authorities who are under pressure from environmentalists and so on have great difficulty in finding suitable sites for dumping? Would the Minister agree also that because of the shortage of funds in all local authorities, they do not have the resources to provide proper facilities for the disposal of waste? In these circumstances is the Minister in a position to give a commitment that a major effort will be made to ensure that proper facilities for the dumping of waste will be made available so that we may avoid a disease hazard or any other kind of hazard in this regard? The problem is one that is affecting tourism and which is ruining the appearance of the countryside.
I accept that there are problems in this matter but to centralise the whole situation would not be to minimise it. It would not mean that sites would be easier to find. The opposite would probably be the case, because in acquiring a site it would be necessary to seek planning permission from a local authority so that one would be dealing with the same kind of pressure groups that must be dealt with now. On the question of finance, local authorities received block grants and it is for them to decide on how the money is moved around to meet the needs of the community. Under the waste disposal regulations of 1979, local authorities were given certain instructions and regulations on how to maintain and regulate tipheads and so on. Therefore, it is better to leave the problem with the local authorities because, knowing what the requirements are, they are best suited to deal with the matter. We find that when there are problems at local level that cannot be dealt with there is a tendency to pass them on to central Government but in the long run that attitude is not in the best interest either of local authorities or of Government.
The Minister seems to be placing all the emphasis on local authorities. We are talking of a problem that is very serious in the national context. Would the Minister not agree that there is a need for his Department to draw up a special national strategy for dealing with this situation? Should he not be endeavouring to bring forward a plan to which all local authorities could adhere?
As I indicated earlier, there are problems in this whole area. We must ensure, particularly in regard to industrial waste, that there is no area that cannot take on hand the disposal of industrial waste because of an inability to provide proper facilities. I assure the Deputy that I will be keeping an eye on the matter to make sure that that will not happen.
But will there be any action taken?
Yes. That is the whole idea of considering the matter.