Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the capacity of mechanical and biological waste treatment; the amount of waste produced here; if his landfill targets will be met without resorting to incineration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25122/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Council Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste sets challenging targets for the diversion of biodegradable municipal waste from landfill. These are set out in the reply to a question on today's Order Paper, and are projected to equate to 59% for 2010, 73% by 2013 and 80% by 2016 for this particular waste stream.

According to the recent National Waste Report 2007 published earlier in 2009 by the Environmental Protection Agency, over 2.3 million tonnes of biodegradable municipal waste was generated in 2007 of which approximately 840,000 tonnes (36%) were recovered.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to the implementation of the National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste and the achievement of Ireland's obligations under the EU Landfill Directive. In this regard, I believe there should be less reliance on landfill and incineration and greater use of alternative technologies, including those for the mechanical and biological treatment of waste.

The Programme for Government also provides for a major international review of waste plans, practices and procedures. This review is now well advanced and examines the potential contribution that mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) and other technologies can deliver towards our landfill diversion targets, particularly in the context of recovering the biodegradable fraction in residual waste arising from domestic households. I have already placed on the record my position that an over reliance on incineration is not the answer for residual waste treatment and my commitment towards the achievement of our landfill diversion targets.