asked the Minister for the Environment the assessment made as to the need for facilities for the disposal of asbestos waste in the State; the facilities for this purpose which actually exist in the State; the controls exercised in respect thereof; the role of his Department in the matter; and the further facilities, if any, planned by or to the knowledge of the Department.
Written Answers. - Asbestos Waste Disposal.
228.
The internationally accepted method of disposal of asbstos wastes is to suitably landfill disposal sites. Asbestos waste arising in Ireland was largely exported to the UK for disposal by landfill until the coming into operation there on 1 January 1986 of the Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations, 1985. The necessity to make suitable arrangements for the landfill disposal of asbestos waste has been emphasised to local authorities by my Department on several occasions. I am not aware of the existence of any problem regarding the disposal of asbestos waste outside of the Dublin area where, I understand, quantities of asbestos waste had to be stored temporarily because proper facilities have not been provided within the area. Much of the waste is now being exported to France for disposal.
Asbestos waste in dust and fibre form is one of the 27 listed categories of toxic and dangerous waste which are subject to control under the European Communities (Toxic and Dangerous Waste) Regulations, 1982. The county councils, county borough corporations and Dún Laoghaire Corporation are responsible under the regulations for the planning, organisation and supervision of toxic and dangerous waste disposal operations in their areas, as well as for the authorisation of storage, treatment and deposit of such wastes. They are obliged to prepare special waste plans designed to ensure that toxic and dangerous waste is disposed of without endangering human health or harming the environment. My main role in this area lies in the provision of the appropriate framework of legislation and regulations for the local authorities in the discharge of their functions in relation to waste.