Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Feb 1998

Vol. 486 No. 6

Written Answers. - Environmental Pollution.

John Gormley

Ceist:

233 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the regulations, if any, which exist in relation to the identifying of, and the protection from, contaminated sites. [3411/98]

In so far as regulations, for which my Department has overall responsibility, are concerned, the Waste Management (Planning) Regulations, 1997 require that waste management plans should specify, to the extent possible, the quantities of specified wastes, including contaminated soils, arising in the functional area of a local authority with a breakdown of the hazardous component, if any, of such wastes. The Building Control Regulations, 1997 and technical guidance documents prepared thereunder deal, inter alia, with site preparation, including the taking of reasonable precautions to avoid danger to health and safety caused by substances —including contaminants —found on or in the ground to be covered by a building.

In the case of an application for planning permission for a development which would involve contaminated land, the relevant planning authority may impose conditions on the grant of planning permission to ensure that any necessary remedial works are carried out. Prevention of environmental pollution, including disposal of waste in a manner which would create a risk to land or soil, arises on a consideration, as appropriate, in the context of the waste and integrated pollution control licensing functions of the EPA.
Barr
Roinn