Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 11: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the reason he decided not to proceed with the introduction of a waste facility levy as part of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill; if he now supports incineration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24080/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The legislative provisions in relation to the waste facility levy were deleted from the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 during its passage through the Oireachtas in order to avoid a situation of non-compliance with the EU waste framework directive which I transposed by Regulations at the end of March 2011.

If the levy, as proposed in the previous Government's Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011, had been proceeded with, the same levy system as applies to a disposal activity such as landfill would have applied to waste to energy plants which achieve recovery status. This would be contrary to the waste hierarchy as set out in Article 4 of the waste framework directive and would be inconsistent with the need to make significant further early progress to reduce the almost two-thirds of municipal waste still going to landfill in Ireland and to meet the challenging requirements of the EU landfill directive.

While the issue of appropriate waste infrastructure is in the first instance a matter for determination by local authorities through their regional waste management plans, it is necessary that the appropriate range of infrastructure is available to treat the waste we generate. That process of infrastructural diversification must be guided, not by a fixation in favour of or against any particular process or technology but by adherence to the internationally recognised and respected waste hierarchy. This will be reflected in the new national waste policy which I intend to complete by the end of the year.

Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

How seriously has mechanical biological treatment technology been considered given it is another form of waste to energy? If landfill is the problem, one must also take into account the fact that following the incineration process one must also landfill, including landfill of toxic waste which costs a great deal of money to monitor. I know that a process is underway but has the Minister or Government given serious consideration to this technology?

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I never cease to be amazed by the number of people who want to show me the new technologies available in regard to conversion from waste to energy. This is an exciting time for the marketplace in terms of the opportunities and technologies, including that mentioned by the Deputy. I have no favoured outcome. I want to see us diverting from landfill into whatever process will work, be it MBT, gasification or pyrolysis, as well as enhancing our recycling in certain categories of waste. I am re-examining the packaging levy with a view to reducing the amount of packaging we have, which should in the first instance be recycled. The newspaper industry has a greater role to play in terms of the amount of material included with one's newspaper at the weekend. That industry should take responsibility for ensuring we do not have those volumes of materials which ultimately end up in landfill.

I am very open on these issues. I have no difficulty in coming to conclusions on matters, which will be adhering to the waste hierarchy and diverting away from landfill in order to ensure we have a proper national waste policy and do not have to pay fines to the European Commission. Written Answers follow Adjournment.