John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I thank Senator Boyle for raising this issue. I am happy to have an opportunity to spell out the Government's position on waste management. I will also set out the progress already made in delivering the many commitments on waste management in the Government's policy programme. The objective underpinning all these initiatives is the creation of a world-class waste management system that places the maximum emphasis on waste prevention, reuse and recycling while using state-of-the-art technologies to deal with residual waste. We are not starting from scratch; we have increased our recycling rate from almost zero to approximately 35%. We are massively over-reliant on landfill, however. We must move away from this over-reliance not only because it is environmentally the right thing to do but also because we run the risk of EU infringement proceedings, with the potential for fines, if we do not. Previous Government policy, which was reflected in the existing suite of regional waste management plans, was tied to incineration as a magic bullet. That has changed and is not espoused in the programme for Government. We must look to alternatives, such as technologies that are more flexible, easier to deliver and more environmentally benign. Technologies in the areas of mechanical and biological treatment have advanced considerably in recent years and are well established in many countries. I recently saw a particularly good example in Austria. Incineration is not a one-track solution and is no longer the cornerstone of Irish waste management policy. The programme for Government clearly commits us to exploring the full range of technologies available to us, in particular, mechanical and biological treatment.

The data available to me suggest that with a developed MBT system the quantity of residual waste requiring disposal other than landfill would be reduced to some 400,000 tonnes by 2016. In this context it is clear that the more than 2 million tonnes of incineration capacity foreseen in the regional waste plans and as a consequence of commercial developments is way in excess of what might be needed. I see tremendous potential in other technologies for dealing with this residual waste of 400,000 tonnes, including co-firing in cement kilns or power plants. The residual waste could be transformed into a refuse-derived fuel, already referred to by Senator Boyle. Stakeholders in these sectors are already extremely interested in the potential of RDF, and I believe this should be explored in detail.

With regard to the existing incinerator plans around the country, such a vast capacity could seriously undermine our efforts to maximise recycling in the years ahead. I am therefore determined to change the emphasis away from incineration and I have recently advised Government colleagues of how we intend to proceed. The first step, already under way, is to create a scenario in which local authorities no longer underwrite incinerators in the form of public private partnerships by guaranteeing a supply of waste to such facilities. I am examining the potential for a policy direction to this effect using the powers available to me in the Waste Management Act.

The second and more expansive step is the review of waste management planning provided for in the programme for Government. I have advised the Government of my plans for this study and my Department is beginning the process. This will include a very high degree of consultation with key stakeholders and will be a truly comprehensive piece of work which will inform future national policy on waste in all its facets. Issues to be addressed will include how best to promote alternative technologies such as MBT and what standards should apply. It will also advise on how best to regulate the sector and what reforms may be needed in this regard. Taken together these initiatives will transform our approach to waste management.

In the context of climate change, it is important to note that MBT and refuse-derived fuel offers us the best solution. I confirm to Senator Boyle that he is correct; I did not mention any specific locations for thermal treatment. I emphasise that I see great potential for RDF, refuse-derived fuel. He is correct that the programme for Government states we will not offer a competitive advantage to incineration by increasing the landfill levy. We may well need to increase the landfill levy but I regard landfill and incineration as disposal methods. It is important to state that MBT is a means of substantially reducing waste, in particular the residual fraction. I acknowledge it is not without its problems but I believe it should and does form the cornerstone of Irish waste management policy. It can be done only if recycling rates are increased to 50% which is certainly achievable.