Vol. 494 No. 4
341 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the legal target that operates in some jurisdictions of the EU that by 2002 only ultimate waste should be landfilled; his views on whether this target is achievable here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18284/98]
I assume the Deputy is referring to certain EU member states which favour the use of landfill as a disposal option for inert wastes only. These member states have a well developed waste management infrastructure, incorporating significant incineration and biological treatment capacity. The Minister for the Environment and Local Government very recently published a policy statement on waste management, with the aim of providing a national framework within which more sustainable waste management practices, reflecting the requirements of the waste hierarchy, will be applied.
This policy framework supports a dramatic reduction in reliance on landfill, in favour of an integrated waste management approach which utilises a range of waste treatment options to deliver ambitious national waste recovery targets within a 15 year timescale. It anticipates: a diversion of 50 per cent of household waste away from landfill; a minimum 65 per cent reduction in biodegradable wastes consigned to landfill; the development of waste recovery facilities employing environmentally beneficial technologies, including the development of biological treatment facilities with a capacity of up to 300,000 tonnes of biodegradable waste per annum; the recycling of 35 per cent of municipal waste; the recovery of at least 50 per cent of C&D waste within a five year period, with a progressive increase to at least 85 per cent over 15 years; a rationalisation of municipal waste landfills, leading to an integrated network of perhaps 20 state-of-the-art facilities incorporating energy recovery and high standards of environmental protection; and an 80 per cent reduction in methane emissions from landfill of waste.
342 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to introduce a procedure whereby the Government would report annually through Dáil Éireann in respect of developments relating to waste management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18285/98]
Appropriate structures are already in place to facilitate Oireachtas oversight of developments relating to waste management. The statement of strategy prepared by my Department in accordance with the Public Service Management Act, 1997, undertakes, inter alia, to pursue policies, programmes and a legislative framework for the satisfactory management of waste. My Department will publish an annual report which will set out progress in implementing this strategy statement.
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Local Government is empowered to consider policy matters and developments related to the work of my Department, including the implementation of its strategy statement, and to report thereon to both Houses of the Oireachtas. The committee's work programme specifically identifies waste management as an area for consideration.
