Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 5

Written Answers. - Waste Management.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

390 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the name and the number of county councils which have submitted waste management plans to his Department; the reason it has taken several years for councils to adopt these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23370/00]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. D. Wallace):

To date, 28 local authorities have formally adopted waste management plans under the Waste Management Act, 1996. They are Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Limerick, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, South Dublin, Tipperary (North Riding), Tipperary (South Riding), Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow and Waterford County Councils; and Dublin, Limerick and Waterford Corporations. Meaningful and comprehensive planning are a key prerequisite to improved waste management performance and, accordingly, considerable effort has been devoted at national, regional and local level to delivering effective results in this regard.

The obligation to make waste management plans was imposed on local authorities under Part II of the 1996 Act, and the subsequent Waste Management (Planning) Regulations, 1997, specified the nature and scope of certain matters to be addressed in such plans.

From the outset, local authorities were encouraged to adopt a regional approach to the planning process, with a view to the more efficient and cost-effective provision of services and infrastructure. This approach was reinforced in the October 1998 policy statement Changing our Ways. Grant assistance of over £1.1 million was provided for local authorities under the EU funded Operational Programme for Environmental Services, 1994-1999, in respect of nine waste management strategy studies carried out by or on behalf of local authorities, for the purposes of informing the preparation of the proposed local and regional plans.

The overall objective of the planning process, which entails considerable public consultation, is to ensure comprehensive, high quality waste management plans which will fully address the complex issues arising in relation to the prevention, minimisation and recovery of wastes, and which provide for the environmentally sound disposal of residual wastes. Accordingly, it was important that adequate time be allowed for the completion of this process.

However, the planning process has proved to be lengthy and, in light of current EU legal proceedings against Ireland, it is imperative that it be completed as soon as possible.