Joe Walsh
Ceist:79 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment the steps, if any, he plans to take to improve and monitor regulations controlling the transport and disposal of toxic substances. [3036/96]
Written Answers. - Transport and Disposal of Toxic Substances.
An extensive range of controls under legislation within the responsibility of the Minister for Enterprise and Employment applies to the transportation of dangerous substances. Additional controls apply in relation to the carriage of toxic substances by air and the shipment and disposal of such substances at sea.
Regulation of hazardous waste transportation is principally governed by Council Regulation (EEC) No. 259/93 of 1 February 1993 on the supervision and control of shipments of waste within, into and out of the European Community, which has direct application in Ireland. The European Communities (Transfrontier Shipment of Waste) Regulations, 1994 provide supporting administrative and enforcement provisions in relation to this EU Regulation.
The Waste Management Bill, 1995, currently before Seanad Éireann, provides for substantial amendments to existing controls in relation to the collection, transportation, recovery and disposal of hazardous waste. The Bill provides for the preparation by the Environmental Protection Agency of a national hazardous waste management plan, the licensing by the agency of waste recovery and disposal operations and the issue of permits by local authorities for waste collection activities. The Bill also provides for appropriate powers of monitoring and inspection by the agency and local authorities.