David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 1498: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 475 of 27 May 2008, the targets and timeframe he has set for the roll-out of brown bins to all households to facilitate compliance with Directive 1999/31/EC aimed at reducing landfill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31292/08]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 1499: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 894 of 8 July 2008, if his Department has issued circular letters to all local authorities seeking the implementation of measures for the management of bio-waste within regional waste management plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31293/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1498 and 1499 together.

I am committed to putting in place the necessary measures to ensure compliance with the EU landfill diversion targets that will apply from 2010 onwards. These EU targets require that

no later than 16 July 2010, biodegradable municipal waste going to landfills must be reduced to 75% of the total amount (by weight) of biodegradable municipal waste produced in 1995;

no later than 16 July 2013, biodegradable municipal waste going to landfills must be reduced to 50% of the total amount (by weight) of biodegradable municipal waste produced in 1995; and

no later than 16 July 2016, biodegradable municipal waste going to landfills must be reduced to 35% of the total amount (by weight) of biodegradable municipal waste produced in 1995.

Member States which consigned more than 80% of collected municipal waste to landfill are allowed to postpone the attainment of these targets by a period not exceeding four years. The National Waste Database Report 1995 records that Ireland consigned some 92% of collected municipal waste to landfill in that year. Accordingly, Ireland has availed of a four-year derogation in respect of the first two target dates.

The roll out of the 'brown bin' source-segregated collection system for organic waste is a core element of the National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste and will play a critical role in accelerating the diversion of organic waste from landfill as required by the EU Directive (1999/31/EC). A circular on the matter issued to local authorities on 31 July 2008 and is available on the Department's website.