Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

We are introducing a new system of waste management planning for individual construction projects that will push up that figure further.

I was heavily criticised in this House for the electrical waste recycling scheme which was introduced. The Labour Party suggested we go back to the drawing board. To its credit, the Green Party supported me. It was the only party to do so. We were just one of three member states in the European Union that implemented the directive on time last August. It has defied the doomsayers and is working spectacularly well. In the period to the end of February, 15,000 tonnes of this waste was recovered for recycling and was recycled in this country. That works out at 6.7 kilos per person whereas the European target for 2008 is 4 kilos per person. At a minimum, they should have the courage to admit we have achieved incredible results in that area.

In the area of farm plastics, my Department is funding a pilot open day scheme to allow farmers clear the backlog of uncollected plastic. That scheme is operating in a number of counties and will be expanded further later this year. It is phenomenally successful.

In 1997, when Fianna Fáil returned to Government, 14% of packaging waste, or 93,000 tonnes, was recycled. In 2004, 56% or 479,000 was recycled. Preliminary figures from Repak indicate there has been a huge increase to the end of 2005, with an overall recovery figure of 64%, which is phenomenal by any standards. The figure means we are already exceeding the new targets in the amended packaging and packaging waste directive, which is set for 2011. Will the Green Party tell us how many other EU member states have come as far as fast as has Ireland.

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