Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Mar 1992

Vol. 416 No. 6

Written Answers. - Dublin Hospital Incinerator.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

301 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health if he has any plans to relocate/close down the incinerator/ chimney at the Mater Hospital, Dublin 7, and if he accepts that emissions from the chimney constitute a health hazard for local residents particularly the elderly and those with breathing ailments.

Roger T. Garland

Ceist:

309 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself with the operation of hospital incinerators throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 301 and 309 together.

The operation of hospital incinerators is a matter for the hospital authorities in the first place.

In the operation of hospital incinerators every effort is made to minimise smoke emissions within the limitations of the present generation of hospital incinerators. In this respect the incinerator at the Mater Hospital is among the best of the present incinerators.

My Department are examining options for the disposal of the clinical waste arising in all the Dublin hospitals at one central facility. When this central facility is in place the present incinerators will be closed down.