Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)

I thank the Minister for his reply. I tabled this question because the recent EPA report recommended steps to be taken to develop indigenous facilities, markets and outlets to recycle waste.

The Minister referred to the fact that 75% of recyclable waste is exported. Within that figure of 75%, the EPA reports that 99.3% of paper and cardboard, 99.8% of ferrous metal and 87.4% of glass materials are exported. A total of 0.4% of glass is sent abroad for recycling. As the Minister said, environmental issues are raised because material is being shipped and we do not know what happens to it. Some of it is burned. One of his own colleagues, the former MEP for Leinster——

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