Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his policy on waste management, the use of landfill, incineration or other means of waste disposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4385/11]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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It is the role of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Government collectively to set the national waste management policy framework. This process is informed by domestic policy goals, EU and wider international policy and practice, and EU legislation and commitments, particularly the revised Waste Framework Directive and the associated waste hierarchy set out in Article 4 of the Directive.

Building on engagement with key stakeholders, the goal is to ensure that waste management policy represents a balanced approach to the delivery of optimum environmental and economic performance, and protects health and minimises the risk of environmental pollution. In that context, the Government is determined to pursue a sustainable, resource-based approach to waste management. This involves a shift in focus from traditional residual waste management options, such as landfill, to technologies which can maximise the energy or material value to be extracted from what should be viewed as a resource rather than as a waste. This is the direction outlined in the draft statement of waste policy published for consultation in July 2010 and in respect of which submissions received are currently under consideration.