Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 February 2005
76 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will consider measures to deal with the low level of recycling of tyres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3993/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the reduced availability of traditional disposal and re-use routes for tyres and to promote recycling of this waste stream, my Department has had discussions with the Irish Tyre Industry Association, ITIA, with a view to establishing a producer responsibility initiative. These discussions are continuing with the intention of concluding the necessary arrangements for such an initiative later this year.
I have publicly stated my concerns about possible inappropriate practices in the way waste tyres are managed. It is imperative that waste tyres are not put to inappropriate uses such as unauthorised burning, uncontrolled disposal or the formation of indiscriminate stockpiles. These practices are not acceptable as they can cause nuisance and pose both environmental and health hazards and infringe waste and other environmental legislation.
My Department has written to local authorities asking them to carry out inspections of tyre outlets with a view to improving current practices in the management of waste tyres. The inspections are to be carried out as part of the local authorities' enforcement action plans for 2005. I wish to see the tyre industry co-operate with the local authorities to achieve more effective management so that any unacceptable practices are eliminated. If the desired response is not forthcoming, I will not hesitate to bring forward more restrictive regulations in this area.
My Department has also written to State bodies with large vehicle fleets and to the tyre industry asking them to review their practices in how they manage this particular waste stream.
77 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will introduce additional measures to support the development of outlets for recycled material. [3939/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra105 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will report on the work being carried out by the market development group to identify market opportunities for recyclables; and the expected date of publication of the market development programme. [3812/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 105 together.
One of the main barriers to an improved and sustainable recycling performance is the lack of stable and economically attractive markets and outlets for recyclable materials and products manufactured from recycled products. The need for the establishment of a market development group, which would oversee the development of a market development programme, was outlined in the delivering change policy statement and the agreed programme for Government.
The market development group, established in July 2004, has an independent chairperson and comprises representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, Enterprise Ireland, the National Standards Authority of Ireland, the Irish Business and Employers Federation, the Irish Waste Management Association, the Small Firms Association, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, the City and County Managers' Association, the Clean Technology Centre, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
The programme which the group is undertaking will identify new applications and markets for recyclable material and secondary recycled products. The group has been asked to identify barriers to the use and marketing of recyclable material and to develop strategies to address these. The group will also play a key role in expanding North-South co-operation on market development issues.
The work of the group is currently focusing on three priority waste streams: paper, plastic and compost. To facilitate this, the group has been subdivided into a steering sub-group and three materials sub-groups, each meeting independently and reporting back to the plenary sessions. Following on from the work of this group, my Department hopes to develop and publish a market development programme later this year.
