Written answers

Wednesday, 24 June 2009

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Waste Management

9:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his preferred options in regard to policy affecting waste management treatment and disposal, having particular regard to the location of such facilities including landfill, incineration and recycling; the number and locations of facilities in respect of which planning permission has been granted in the past two years, those pending or anticipated; the extent to which the locations approved are expected to impact on those pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25114/09]

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government contains a range of commitments in respect of waste management policy centred on the Government's continued support for the internationally recognised waste hierarchy which places major emphasis on the prevention, reuse and recycling of waste while minimising reliance on landfill and incineration. This commitment to the waste hierarchy has added significance in the context of the requirements of the EU Landfill Directive to divert waste from landfill. Meeting this obligation will entail doubling the existing level of diversion from landfill by 2010 and further increases in diversion in subsequent years. The Programme also signalled a move away from mass burn incineration towards alternative technologies.

This is a process which will be assisted by the major international review of waste plans, practices and procedures, also provided for in the Programme, which will address how better to implement waste prevention and minimisation in the 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. On completion of this major review I will bring forward any necessary legislative and policy initiatives needed to give effect to its conclusions.

At present there are no municipal waste incinerators in Ireland and my Department has no function in determining the number, type, location or capacity of any such facilities that may be constructed.

Waste management infrastructural projects are advanced by private sector service providers or by local authorities, generally by way of a public private partnership. It is a matter for the promoters of such projects to seek and obtain the necessary regulatory approvals i.e. planning permission and a waste licence. In carrying out their functions planning authorities, including An Bord Pleanála, and the EPA in regard to waste licensing, act independently of the Minister. The approved capacity of individual facilities is a matter for determination through these processes, as provided for in the Planning and Development and Waste Management Acts.

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