asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make a statement on the number of tonnes of toxic waste which are produced in Ireland for each year from 1986 to 1989, inclusive; if he will give these figures on a county by county basis; where this waste is processed; the controls which are at present in place to ensure that all such waste produced is accounted for; where such waste is processed; the percentage, if any, which is shipped from this country for processing overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Toxic Waste.
52.
The latest year for which the information requested by the Deputy is available, is 1985. Local authorities have been asked to forward details of the position for the year ended December 1988 but it will be some further time before final comprehensive figures for that year are available in my Department.
The estimated total volume of waste coming within the EC definition of toxic and dangerous waste which was produced in this country in 1985 was 52,000 tonnes. Of this total, 66 per cent was disposed of by the producers at their own sites or treatment facilities, a further 6 per cent was disposed of by landfill and the remainder was exported for disposal overseas. Most hazardous waste exports go to the United Kingdom but small quantities are shipped to France and Finland.
The legislative controls to ensure the safe disposal of toxic and dangerous waste are set out in the European Communities (Toxic and Dangerous) Waste Regulations, 1982. The transfrontier movements of hazardous wastes are subject to control under the European Communities (Transfrontier Shipment of Hazardous Waste) Regulations, 1988.