Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 507: To ask the Minister for Defence the refuse disposal procedures in place in each army barracks; the annual cost of refuse disposal in each facility to either a local authority or private registered contractor; if he will assure Dáil Éireann that all refuse is disposed of in a manner compliant with environmental laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13503/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Following a detailed study of the needs of the Defence Forces in 2002 commissioned by the Dept of Defence, a comprehensive Waste Management Strategy was implemented for the Defence Forces.

The Waste Management Strategy is based on a combination of recycling and where necessary disposal. A Recycling Centre is located in each of our 23 main Barracks/Posts. Each recycling centre has a compactor baler capable of baling dry recyclables, i.e. Cardboard, Paper, Plastic, and Aluminium Cans. They also have segregated storage areas for Wood, Metal, and an area for a Skip, Compactor Skip or Wheelie Bins for General Waste depending on size of the Barracks/Post. Each Barracks/Post also segregates Glass Bottles, Waste Cooking Oil, and in larger Barracks/Posts only, Food Waste is collected for composting.

The Defence Forces Waste Management Strategy was first implemented in 2003 with the awarding of a Single Waste Disposal/ Management Contract for all of the Defence Force locations. Ipodec Ireland Ltd (now Veolia) held this contract from 01 August 2003 to 31 July 2006.

Following a tender competition, a contract was awarded to Greyhound Recycling & Recovery Ltd for a period of three years from 01 August 2006 to 31 July 2009. I have been assured by the Military Authorities that Greyhound Recycling & Recovery Ltd hold the relevant Environmental Protection Agency Licences and Waste Permits.

The Waste Management Strategy for the Defence Forces has been extremely beneficial both in terms of the environment and costs. An average overall recycling figure of 37% was achieved in 2006. It is intended to improve on this figure in the coming years. The total cost of Waste Disposal for the Defence Forces in 2006 was €648,000 compared to €1,300,000 in 2002 — a saving of over 50% in the space of 4 years.

The waste disposal costs for each Barracks/Posts for 2005 and 2006 are set out beneath in the form of a tabular statement which I propose to circulate with the Official Report.