Vol. 502 No. 3
429 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to introduce a ban on white asbestos cement as a building material in view of its present classification as a non-hazardous waste which can be dumped in landfill sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8127/99]
The EU Commission has proposed a directive which would ban the future marketing and use of white asbestos in virtually all products, including white asbestos cement. The other forms of asbestos – blue and brown – are already banned. The implementation of the proposed EU ban on white asbestos, or the adoption of a national ban in the event of the failure of the EU to adopt the proposed Community wide ban, is primarily a matter for my colleague, Deputy Kitt, Minister of State with responsibility for labour affairs, consumer rights and international trade.
