Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 1440: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the plans he has to amend legislation governing the licensing of skip bags for the collection of rubble and other waste in order that bags may be traced back to the individual user; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30064/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Skip bags have become increasingly popular with the public as an alternative to the more traditional skip and particularly in circumstances where there is not enough waste to justify hiring a full-sized skip but too much for the regular household collection. Skip bags are distributed through a network of retailers and are collected by a permitted waste collection company.

The Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007 (as amended) came into operation on 1 June 2008 and replaced the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations, 2001. The regulations provide for a system of permitting by local authorities of commercial waste collection activities and set out procedures for making permit applications, public consultation, consideration by local authorities of submissions in relation to permit applications, and the grant, refusal and review of permits by local authorities.

The regulations provide for nominated authorities to attach such conditions as it considers necessary relating to the use of skips or other such receptacles such as skip bags, including in respect of the care and disposal of the contents of such receptacles. Conditions regarding the compilation and maintenance of records relating to the types and quantities of waste dealt with, including origin and destination of such waste, are also provided for.