Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 6

Written Answers. - Municipal Waste Disposal.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

40 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline, (a) his Department's policy on the disposal of municipal waste and (b) the provision which has been made for development of new landfill sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment (Miss Harney)

Policy on waste seeks to ensue that all wastes, including municipal waste, are managed on an environmentally sound basis. This is achieved through a range of regulations under which local authorities are responsible for the planning, organisations and supervision of the wastes which arise in their areas.

As I have indicated on a number of occasions, a comprehensive Bill on waste is being prepared in my Department at present. Landfill is the prevalent disposal method for municipal waste in this country and my Department has issued detailed guidelines to local authorities on the management and operation of landfill sites. New controls on landfill which are being developed at European Community level are likely to include more stringent controls on landfill practice; national policy will be developed in line with such requirements.