Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 April 2005
109 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason the Government has not yet submitted to the EU Commission the three year report on implementation of the EC landfill directive, Council Directive 1999/31/EC of April 1999, which was due in July 2004; when the report will be submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11078/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraArticle 15 of Council Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste requires member states to send reports to the Commission at intervals of three years on the implementation of the directive. The report is being finalised by my Department and will be forwarded to the Commission within the coming days.
This directive also requires member states of the European Union to achieve specified targets for the reduction of biodegradable municipal waste consigned to landfill. Under article 5 of the directive, member states are required to prepare and oversee the implementation of a national strategy on biodegradable waste and to notify the European Commission of this strategy. Each national strategy should set out measures to progressively divert biodegradable municipal waste away from landfill in accordance with agreed targets over a 15-year period.
In April 2004, Ireland's first draft national strategy on biodegradable waste, which was published for public consultation, set out a range of integrated measures designed to facilitate the achievement of these ambitious diversion targets. A copy of the draft strategy was submitted to the Commission. It is envisaged that the national strategy on biodegradable waste will be finalised and notified to the Commission before the autumn.
