I propose to take Questions Nos. 1498 and 1499 together.
I am committed to putting in place the necessary measures to ensure compliance with the EU landfill diversion targets that will apply from 2010 onwards. These EU targets require that
no later than 16 July 2010, biodegradable municipal waste going to landfills must be reduced to 75% of the total amount (by weight) of biodegradable municipal waste produced in 1995;
no later than 16 July 2013, biodegradable municipal waste going to landfills must be reduced to 50% of the total amount (by weight) of biodegradable municipal waste produced in 1995; and
no later than 16 July 2016, biodegradable municipal waste going to landfills must be reduced to 35% of the total amount (by weight) of biodegradable municipal waste produced in 1995.
Member States which consigned more than 80% of collected municipal waste to landfill are allowed to postpone the attainment of these targets by a period not exceeding four years. The National Waste Database Report 1995 records that Ireland consigned some 92% of collected municipal waste to landfill in that year. Accordingly, Ireland has availed of a four-year derogation in respect of the first two target dates.
The roll out of the ‘brown bin' source-segregated collection system for organic waste is a core element of the National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste and will play a critical role in accelerating the diversion of organic waste from landfill as required by the EU Directive (1999/31/EC). A circular on the matter issued to local authorities on 31 July 2008 and is available on the Department's website.