Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

The Leader will have seen the most recent so-called expert safety report on landfills and incineration. Not surprisingly, it reached no particular conclusions. I ask the Leader to allow time at the earliest opportunity for a debate in this House on the issue of waste management.

The Minister and his predecessor tried to put through a particular policy. Every local authority appears to be doing something different and there appears to be no centralised waste management policy. Most local authorities are struggling to come up with a solution and leadership is needed from the Oireachtas and from the Department. There are dozens of reports at this stage which do not reach any conclusion. Political action is required and we should kick off in this House by having a lengthy debate on waste management. There is a crisis facing every local authority and action is now needed.