We are all well aware of the difficulties which delayed the adoption of waste plans around the country. Firm action was required to bring the process to a conclusion and the Government was not found wanting on that score. Since late 2001 we have had full national coverage in terms of waste management plans, allowing the important work of delivering on the plans to begin in earnest. We have made major progress on the legislative code governing the waste sector. A comprehensive system for regulating the waste sector was introduced under the Waste Management Act 1996 and this has been updated on several occasions, most recently under the Protection of the Environment Act 2003 which was the subject of considerable debate here earlier this year.