asked the Minister for the Environment if he accepts the findings of a report (details supplied) in which it is claimed that up to 5,000 tonnes of highly toxic chemical waste produced by Ireland's chemical industries disappeared between 1986 and 1988; and his response to the accusation that the Government is turning a blind eye to what is going on.
Written Answers. - Toxic Chemical Waste.
218.
I have seen the report referred to, which is misleading and inaccurate in a number of respects. In particular there is no substance either in the allegation that large quantities of toxic waste have "disappeared" or that the Government are turning a blind eye to such a situation. The figures quoted in the article are incorrect and were not furnished by my Department as the report implies.
National waste policy is firmly directed to ensuring that all hazardous waste is disposed of without risk to public health or to the environment and measures are being taken to achieve maximum national self-sufficiency in this area. Legislative controls to ensure safe disposal of these wastes are contained in the European Communities (Toxic and Dangerous Waste) Regulations 1982 and the European Communities (Transfrontier Shipment of Hazardous Waste) Regulations, 1988. These regulations provide for a mandatory consignment note system which is designed to trace waste movements from source to final disposal.