Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 543: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Government will publish the national waste strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39992/08]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 544: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way incineration fits within the national waste strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39993/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 543 and 544 together.

The programme for Government includes a commitment to undertake an international review of waste management policy. In February 2008 a procurement process was initiated to appoint consultants to undertake comprehensive research on the waste sector in Ireland and to cover a wide range of issues to help identify how best to proceed with further efforts to reduce waste levels, improve recycling rates and deliver equitable and cost-effective waste management solutions. The study will address how better to implement waste prevention and minimisation in the particular context of the emergence of new technologies for waste management, particularly those for the mechanical and biological treatment of waste which can reduce the need for both incineration and landfill.

Undue emphasis on incineration as the cornerstone of waste management policy is detrimental to the development of alternative solutions. The review may well indicate a continuing role for incineration in our future waste management strategy but I do not envisage it being on anything like the scale that was previously envisaged. The procurement process has been completed and Eunomia Research and Consulting Ltd. (and partners) have been retained to undertake the study. Extensive consultation with key stakeholders is envisaged and I anticipate that the study will be completed by mid-2009 and published shortly thereafter.