Vol. 560 No. 3
177 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when he expects to receive the report of the Health Research Board study commissioned by his Department into the likely effects of landfill and thermal treatment which was expected by the end of February 2003; if it is intended to publish the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2390/03]
The Health Research Board, HRB, was requested to commission a study to provide an objective analysis of internationally available information regarding the likely effects of landfill and thermal treatment, especially incineration activities, on public health and the environment.
The proposed study report was submitted by the HRB to an external academic peer review process, as is normal practice in such cases. I understand that this peer review process has only recently concluded and that the board hopes to be in a position to publish the study report within a relatively short period of time, probably next month.
