Vol. 492 No. 3
10 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the implications, if any, for Ireland of the directive on the landfill of waste which was discussed by the Environment Council in March 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13745/98]
The Environment Council reached agreement at its meeting on 23 March 1998 on the adoption of a common position on the proposed directive on the landfill of waste.
The main elements of the proposal are fully consistent with existing legislation and Government policy in relation to waste management, including, in particular, the commitment in our policy document "Our Environment, Our Future" to a 50 per cent reduction in household waste going to landfill within 15 years.
The proposed directive provides, among other things, for the making of national strategies aimed at a phased reduction over a 15-year period of the biodegradable or organic fraction of municipal solid waste going to landfill; a requirement that municipal solid waste must be treated before being disposed of to landfill; requirements related to the permitting and operational control of landfills; an obligation on all landfill operators to apply charges which reflect the full cost of development, operation and aftercare of the landfill; and general technical requirements for the construction of landfills.
The operational and technical requirements provided for in the proposed directive have been anticipated by the comprehensive waste licensing system operated by the EPA under the Waste Management Act, 1996. Licensing will ensure that high standards of environmental protection apply in respect of all landfill activities.
Accordingly, the most significant new elements of the proposal for Ireland are those relating to the reduction of biodegradable waste being disposed of to landfill, and the treatment of all waste before landfill. Good progress is already being made in relation to the development of composting of organic wastes, and I consider that current initiatives will generally be adequate to meet the initial biodegradable waste reduction target anticipated under the proposed directive. Further measures will be required to meet the medium and long-term diversion targets. For this purpose, I will be encouraging local authorities to consider all suitable alternatives to landfill in the context of the development of their waste management plans.
I am glad the Waste Management Act brought in by the Minister was so good that it envisaged all the requirements of the new waste landfill directive. Has the Minister of State had any discussions with the Minister for Public Enterprise on the pilot incineration programme for foul waste that was to take place in Monaghan — the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will have an interest in this — and which I understand will not now go ahead. Will the funds available for the pilot alternative energy programmes for incineration be allocated to any other project? Has the Minister of State had any discussions with the Department of Public Enterprise on that matter?
May I take it from the Minister of State's reply that this draft directive sets out to deal with any proposals for the dumping of sewage sludge and that all such activity will have to conform to the prior treatment the Minister mentioned in relation to organic, household and municipal waste?
My question is related. Will the Minister of State clarify the type of waste it is proposed to divert from landfill? He mentioned 50 per cent of the biodegradable fraction of household waste and the biodegradable fraction of municipal waste. What does the Minister of State classify as municipal waste? Is all commercial and industrial waste currently deposited in landfill? We seem to be talking about two different figures.
A question please, Deputy.
Obviously municipal waste would have a much higher volume. Will the Minister clarify that aspect?
The Waste Management Act introduced by Deputy Howlin in 1997 established a voluntary code for industry in terms of increasing recyclability. Will the Minister of State comment on the success to date of the REPAK initiative piloted under the Waste Management Act, 1996?
There is an ongoing study of alternative landfills in the north east area.
Is there money for it?
The study is continuing and we will give it favourable consideration.
We have been ahead of the EU in our approach to the question of landfill. As the former Minister rightly said, the waste licensing system operated by the EPA under the Waste Management Act, 1996, ensures that high standards of environmental protection apply to all significant waste disposal activities, including landfills. The licensing system commenced on 1 May 1997 in relation to all new and certain existing landfills. It is being extended on a phased basis and will apply to all existing landfill activities before 1 March 1999.
We must examine the way we dispose of our domestic and commercial waste. We are committed to targets for the phased reduction of biodegradable municipal and solid waste going to landfill. The proposed directive would require a reduction of up to 65 per cent in the amount of biodegradable waste sent to landfill. If one assumes the proposed directive will come into operation in the year 2000, the phased targets proposed would require that the amount of biodegradable municipal waste being landfill would not exceed 75 per cent of the 1995 level by the year 2005, 50 per cent by the year 2008 and 35 per cent by the year 2016.
A point was raised about alternatives to landfill. Studies have been carried out on this matter and it is currently being examined by consultants who will report back later in the year. The overall position will then be examined in the context of alternatives to landfill. We cannot continue with the old ways. We have made progress and I am confident that as a result of the approach we are taking we will make the necessary input into this area and comply with the proposed EU directives which will not come into operation for at least three years.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
