Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 119: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason for delays in the implementation of the regional waste management plans; the action he intends to take in regard to speeding up the implementation of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11164/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department's national overview of waste management plans, July 2004, identified significant progress in many areas in regard to the implementation of waste management plans by the relevant local authorities. However, it is acknowledged that further progress is also necessary if we are to achieve the objective of developing a fully integrated approach to waste management.

The local authorities concerned are now engaged in reviewing and updating the existing plans. I would hope that the adoption by local authorities of the revised plans will place a renewed focus on implementation. In support of this, the authorities will be required to identify in their plans the key actions to be delivered each year and to prepare an annual progress report.

I am satisfied that implementation of waste management plans, which incorporate ambitious targets, is moving in the right direction as is evidenced by the latest EPA waste statistics, published in its 2003 interim report, which confirm the recent and rapid improvements in Ireland's recycling performance.