Vol. 508 No. 3
121 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the National Hazardous Waste Management Plan recently published by the Environmental Protection Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18713/99]
I welcome the recent publication of the proposed national hazardous waste management plan, for public consultation over a two month period.
Despite being relatively small in quantitative terms, hazardous waste is widely recognised as a qualitatively difficult waste stream, which presents a particular danger to human health and the safety of the natural environment. The plan proposes, for the first time, a comprehensive national blueprint for action, with a balanced emphasis on prevention and minimisation as well as sound management and safe disposal of these problematic wastes.
The recommendations outlined in the proposed plan are currently under consideration in my Department, and will be subject to consultation with relevant bodies.
