Vol. 495 No. 7
498 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will meet a delegation from Lusk Community Council Limited to discuss his general policy with regard to landfill sites as outlined in his waste management strategy; and, if so, if he will arrange this meeting as soon as possible. [21361/98]
The recent policy statement on waste management outlines a range of objectives and targets which should be achieved in order to give practical expression to the requirements of the waste hierarchy and improve national waste management performance. A major objective is to reduce our current reliance on landfill, so that such facilities become a subsidiary element of an integrated waste infrastructure, dealing with residual waste which cannot be prevented or recovered. The policy statement is addressed chiefly to local authorities, who will play a key role in the provision of the requisite infrastructure, within the framework of regional and local waste management plans.
The four local authorities in the Dublin region have adopted a regional waste management strategy study and are currently engaged in the preparation of a joint waste management plan, which will incorporate proposals for infrastructural development. Community organisations should address any concerns in this regard to these local authorities.
In light of the responsibility of the local authorities for giving effect to waste policy and for decisions in respect of appropriate waste facilities, a meeting of the kind proposed would not be appropriate.
