Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the 2007 national waste report that found that Ireland is moving further away from its targets to send less food and garden waste to landfill; if he will implement the recommendations contained in the report in order to meet Ireland's 2020 European Union landfill targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3914/09]

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way he will meet Ireland's need to divert an additional half a million tonnes of biodegradable waste from landfill by 2010 to meet its targets under the European Union Landfill Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3913/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 42 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.

Following extensive consultation, the National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste was published in April 2006 and is aimed at diverting 80% of biodegradable waste from landfill through segregated collection and the generation of compost. The programme for Government contains a commitment to implementation of the National Strategy.

The projections for 2016, are based on the provision by then of alternative treatment facilities on the necessary scale, and relevant issues in that regard are being examined in depth in the International Waste Review currently under way. The initial targets under the Landfill Directive are more immediate as they relate to 2010 and the existing measures under the Biowaste Strategy are designed to achieve these targets.

I have also indicated my intention to introduce primary legislation to allow significant increases in the landfill levy and a Regulatory Impact Analysis for this purpose has been completed. My Department, in addition, is working with industry towards the development of a Statutory Instrument for the segregation of commercial biodegradable waste.

The National Waste Report 2007 states that the quantity of biodegradable municipal waste landfilled continued to increase to 1,485,968 tonnes in 2007. I am concerned at our progress towards meeting targets for the diversion of this material. Last year, I issued a circular to all local authorities to drive forward the roll out of brown bins and promote the use of home composting and the report indicates progress in relation to home composting. I am confident that all of the above measures will contribute significantly to the attainment of the targets for the diversion of biodegradable waste from landfill.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the review of the waste management plan authorised by his Department has been completed; when it is intended that issues arising therefrom are expected to be addressed in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3802/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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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. Eunomia Research and Consulting Ltd. (and partners) were selected to undertake the study, the scope of which will underpin the overall review as provided for in the programme for Government. It is anticipated that the study will be completed in summer 2009 and I will then bring forward any necessary legislative and policy responses.