Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps being taken by him to ensure Ireland reaches its EU targets for diversion of waste from landfill by 2010; the date on which the targets must be reached; if Ireland will reach these targets; the consequences if Ireland does not reach these targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25077/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I am committed to implementing the necessary measures to ensure that Ireland meets the EU landfill diversion targets by 16 July 2010.

The National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste was published in April 2006 and sets out measures progressively to divert biodegradable municipal waste from landfill in accordance with the agreed targets in EU Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste. These targets require progressive reductions in the amount of biodegradable municipal waste which was landfilled in the reference year of 1995. They are designed to achieve a reduction to 75% by 2010, 50% by 2013 and 35% by 2016. Action, on foot of any failure to meet these targets, would be a matter for the European Commission.

Last year, my Department issued a circular to all local authorities to drive forward the roll out of brown bins for domestic householders and to promote the use of home composting. My Department is also working with industry towards the development of a statutory instrument for the source segregation and appropriate treatment of catering waste and former foodstuffs from commercial premises. It is envisaged that these regulations, when made, will have the potential to divert significant amounts of commercial food waste from landfill. I have also signalled my intention to introduce primary legislation to allow for significant increases in the landfill levy to act as a further deterrent to landfill.

In the light of the above, I am confident that all of the measures outlined will contribute significantly to the achievement of the targets for the diversion of biodegradable municipal waste from, and an overall reduction in our use of, landfill.