Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Question 135: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the further steps necessary to take in order that Ireland meets best waste management practice as achieved by the most environmentally progressive EU Member States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7488/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Irish waste management policy is based on the internationally recognised integrated approach which places the main emphasis on waste prevention, reuse and recycling. The local authorities have the statutory responsibility for waste management planning, generally on a regional basis. Control to these plans is the need to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is in place to manage our waste properly and in accordance with international best practice.

This approach is now delivering demonstrable and successful results. In 1998 Ireland had a recycling rate of just 9% but this had risen to 35% by 2005, reaching a national target set for 2013. Our recycling of packaging waste over the same period rose from 15% to 60%, comfortably exceeding the 50% EU target set for 2005 and reaching the EU 2011 target.

The Government is determined to build on these achievements to create a recycling society supported by appropriate infrastructure to deal with waste that cannot be prevented or recycled.