Mr. Kevin O'Donoghue:

We are not against setting mandatory targets. We need to get an understanding of where they should be set and we are waiting on baseline data to figure out exactly how we can achieve the 50% reduction by 2030. We will examine any mandatory targets needed on that basis.

I refer to the area of construction and demolition waste. It is a significant area of work for us to ensure construction and demolition waste generated is managed properly. The local authority system and the EPA deal with a significant volume of waste under article 27, by-products, and article 28, end of waste, of the European Communities (Waste Directive) Regulations, the two areas I imagine the Deputy was referring to for local authorities. There are provisions in this Bill that will streamline those processes and should assist in ensuring the applications made for determination are of sufficient quality to make a determination. Due to the changes we expect in that regard, we have been working with the Construction Industry Federation and all the relevant stakeholders, and the regulatory side, since 2017 through a construction waste resource group. The areas that need immediate attention have been identified by the sector.

On that basis, we would expect the change to happen relatively quickly after the introduction of the provisions in this Bill.