Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 June 2018
193. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the recent decision to grant planning permission (details supplied) is in line with the national policy on waste management. [25981/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the first instance, it is important to point out that as Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment I have no role or remit in relation to the decision made by An Bord Pleanála concerning the facility the Deputy refers to, nor indeed do I have a role in relation to planning policy or planning legislation.
Furthermore, waste management planning, including with regard to infrastructure provision, is the responsibility of local authorities under the Waste Management Act 1996, as amended. Under section 60(3) of that Act, I, as Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance, in specific cases, by a local authority of their statutory functions under the Act.
The most recent iteration of Regional Waste Management Plans set out how waste generated will be managed over the time period 2015-2021, in line with national and EU waste management policy, and support the development of up to 300,000 tonnes of additional thermal recovery capacity nationally. This figure was determined, firstly to ensure that there is adequate and competitive treatment capacity in the market, and secondly to ensure the State’s self-sufficiency requirements for the recovery of municipal waste are met. The Plans also reflect the move away from landfilling because it is the least desirable method of managing waste. Furthermore, that level of thermal recovery capacity takes account of the requirement to achieve a recycling rate of municipal waste in excess of 60% by 2030, which is in line with one of the new EU recycling targets. The three Regional Waste Management Plans themselves have a headline target for the prevention and recycling of waste.
My role as Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in relation to waste management is to provide a comprehensive legislative and policy framework through which the relevant regulatory bodies, such as Local Authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency, operate.
Our national waste policy is predicated on and consistent with European Union waste policy, which has the waste hierarchy as its cornerstone. Under the waste hierarchy, the prevention, preparation for reuse, recycling and recovery of waste is preferred to the disposal or landfill of waste.
