Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 230: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied that adequate funding will be provided by his Department to ensure that waste management and disposal conform to Government policy as set out in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28924/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Through the Environment Fund, and also more recently through the Exchequer, my Department co-funds the establishment of new recycling facilities by local authorities and also provides funding to subvent the operating costs of such facilities. Some €100m has been allocated in this way in respect of capital costs since 2002. This funding is provided in respect of facilities such as bring banks, civic amenity sites and materials recovery facilities. However, as provided for in the National Development Plan, heavy waste infrastructure, such as landfills or other significant disposal or recovery facilities, are not State funded but are to be provided by the private sector as entirely commercial developments or by local authorities by way of public private partnerships. In accordance with the Programme for Government my Department is committed to further expansion of the network of recycling facilities.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 232: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the Government policy in regard to the extent to which it is expected to cater for waste management and disposal in future through landfills, recycling or incineration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28926/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Programme for Government clearly sets out the approach to waste management that will be reflected in national policy in the years ahead. It is firmly grounded in a continuing commitment to the waste hierarchy with a renewed drive towards the achievement of international best practice in the reduction, re-use and recycling of our waste. This, coupled with an increasing emphasis on technologies for the mechanical and biological treatment of waste, will significantly reduce potential reliance on landfill and incineration. To assist the process of ensuring that our waste management system can act in support of these objectives my Department is initiating the major review of waste management policy foreseen in the Government's policy programme and which will help to ensure we have the legal, institutional and policy framework to achieve international best practice in the management of our waste.