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

Question 705: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, prior to the making of the most recent waste regulations, he was requested by a company (details supplied) to modify the waste regulations to allow greater inter-regional movement of waste; if so, if he will provide this Deputy with a copy of the correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24063/05]

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

I assume that the question refers to the recently issued policy direction under section 60 of the Waste Management Act 1996.

The most recent waste management policy statement, Taking Stock and Moving Forward, published in April 2004, recognised that a prohibition on inter-regional movement of waste could be unduly restrictive in terms of securing the development of waste infrastructure and the objectives of waste management plans. Most existing waste facilities are not subject to conditions that limit the geographic area from which they can take waste. The absence of such restrictions has traditionally allowed local authorities to manage capacity constraints by providing for inter-regional movement of waste. Accordingly, the policy statement provided for an examination of the issues arising in terms of the inter-relationship between regional boundaries and waste facilities.

Concerns about the implications of such planning conditions were expressed to my Department by stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, and in particular by the Irish Waste Management Association. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency in its 2001 waste database report recommended that the inter-regional movement and treatment of waste "should be provided for . . . in appropriate circumstances".

Following legal advice, I recently issued guidance under section 60 of the Waste Management Act to clarify that the application of the proximity principle in the context of waste management does not entail interpreting administrative waste boundaries in such a manner as to inhibit the development of infrastructure, which would support the attainment of national waste policy objectives. This guidance is intended to provide greater clarity in regard to the appropriate application of the proximity principle so as to facilitate the provision of environmentally sustainable and economically viable waste infrastructure in accordance with national policy. I am advised that this guidance has been well received by both the public and private stakeholders. As requested by the Deputy, I am arranging to have copies of the submissions made to my predecessor forwarded to him.