asked the Minister for the Environment the reason he requested Dublin County Council to accept asbestos waste, which is listed as being toxic and dangerous by the EEC, when the same waste was refused entry into the United Kingdom, which is the traditional area for disposal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Asbestos Waste.
14.
A circular issued by my Department in July 1982 made it clear that the Minister expected local authorities to see to the provision of adequate landfill facilities for the disposal of industrial wastes arising in their functional areas. The circular asked that immediate consideration be given to the scope for acceptance on existing sites of industrial wastes, including those — such as asbestos wastes — which require special care in handling and disposal but can be safely disposed of by landfill methods under properly controlled conditions. A memorandum which accompanied the 1982 circular indicated that landfill, either on specialised sites or in conjunction with domestic wastes, was an acceptable means of disposing of asbestos wastes provided certain requirements are met. This circular and memorandum were entirely consistent with the national strategy for waste disposal which was announced in May 1981.
The internationally accepted method of disposal of asbestos wastes is to suitable landfill disposal sites. In the last few years, asbestos waste arising in the Dublin area has been exported to the UK for disposal by landfill. In recent times, however, the UK authorities have indicated that they see no reason why arrangements could not be made to dispose of this waste at landfill disposal sites in Ireland, rather than in the UK. In addition, there are indications that the import of asbestos wastes to the UK may be prohibited entirely. Arising from this, and taking into account the advice previously issued by my Department to local authorities about the disposal of asbestos wastes, my Department suggested to Dublin County Council last autumn that they examine the possibility of accepting on landfill sites asbestos wastes arising in the Dublin area. I understand that the county council, at its meeting on 12 March, agreed to accept such waste at Balally for a trial period of 12 months but that this decision was rescinded at a subsequent meeting on 9 April.
The reversal of the local authority's earlier decision is regrettable, particularly since it was the intention that all asbestos for disposal on the site would be examined by the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards and would be subject to the consignment note system prescribed in the 1982 regulations on toxic and dangerous waste. I also understand that all the recommendations made in the Asbestosis Research Council's Recommended Code of Practice for the handling and disposal of asbestos waste were to be followed.
Unless adequate facilities for the disposal of industrial wastes are provided, there will be significant additional costs for existing Irish industry. Besides, the lack of these facilities would have very serious implications for industrial development and employment, and for the environment. The decision taken by Dublin County Council in this particular instance must be viewed against this background. Wide powers are available to the council to ensure that wastes such as those in question are properly and safely disposed of and it is essential that these powers be utilised.