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

Question 59: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his preferred options in regard to waste management and disposal; if it is intended to increase dependency on landfills in the future; the role he envisages for incineration and recycling; if the development of further landfills is in accord with Government policy; the extent to which toxic or other waste is being exported; his plans to meet such requirements in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28719/07]

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. It will also permit better management so as to minimise the waste, including hazardous waste, requiring to be exported.

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. This will be designed to ensure we have the legal, institutional and policy framework to achieve international best practice in the management of our waste.