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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 3

Written Answers. - Waste Disposal.

Mary Upton

Ceist:

683 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his plans to provide for the safe disposal of recycling of waste from the pharmaceutical industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20151/02]

Having regard to the principle of producer responsibility, it is a matter for companies in the pharmaceutical sector to ensure the proper management of wastes that they generate, in accordance with relevant national and EU legislation.

Most pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities are subject to integrated pollution control licensing by the Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act, 1992. Currently, nearly 50 such facilities are licensed.

Generally speaking, on-site recovery of wastes in carried out by the chemical and pharmaceutical industry and forms an integral part of many of the manufacturing processes being undertaken. To the extent that wastes arise for management off-site, companies may avail of the services of waste brokers that can arrange for the consignment of such wastes to appropriate recovery or disposal facilities, either in Ireland or abroad.

As indicated in the reply to Question No. 33 of 10 October 2002, concerning the export of waste from an Irish pharmaceutical company, I am reviewing national regulations relating to the trans-frontier shipment of wastes generally.

The national hazardous waste management plan published by the EPA identifies a requirement for landfill and thermal treatment capacity for hazardous waste requiring disposal so as to achieve self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on export outlets. A private company has announced proposals to develop a hazardous waste incineration facility at Ringaskiddy, County Cork. As an exceptional measure, having regard to the polluter pays principle, grant assistance is available under the NDP to support the provision of landfill capacity for hazardous wastes and there are indications of interest from the private sector in the development of such capacity.

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