Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Waste Disposal.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

1457 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the use of thermal treatment plants in waste management procedures; and if he has satisfied himself with the effect of these plants on public health and safety. [15545/02]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Cullen):

Local authorities were advised, in the Government waste policy statement Changing our Ways, 1998 that achievement of national waste objectives requires, inter alia, a major reduction in reliance on landfill, and the adoption of an integrated waste management approach which utilises a range of treatment options to deliver ambitious recycling and recovery targets. Authorities were asked to identify and fully assess the various issues involved, with a view to identifying the nature, scale and mix waste of waste treatment facilities which, at a regional level, would maximise recovery of materials or energy and minimise environmental emissions, at reasonable cost. Against this background, regional waste management plans subsequently adopted by 29 local authorities provide, inter alia, for six thermal treatment facilities to recover energy from waste that cannot otherwise be re-used or recycled. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency's national hazardous waste management plan identifies a need for a thermal treatment facility for hazardous waste.

An Agreed Programme for Government acknowledges the validity of well regulated thermal treatment, using best available technology and based on the prior extraction from the waste stream of recyclables and problematic materials to the maximum extent possible. Emissions from proposed thermal treatment facilities, employing modern technologies and subject to compliance with strict environmental standards, as most recently specified in an EU Directive of 2000 on the incineration of waste, do not present a significant risk to the environment or public health. EU legislation and policy expressly contemplate the provision of thermal treatment facilities, which now operate in almost all EU member states. All significant waste facilities are subject to full environmental impact assessment, planning controls and a rigorous environmental licensing system operated by the EPA, which must take the precautionary principle into account. The EPA is legally precluded from licensing a waste facility unless, among other considerations, it is satisfied that the activity concerned will not cause environ mental pollution, that is to say will not to a significant extent endanger public health or harm the environment.