Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 49: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans for the development of a coherent waste management strategy and proposed policy and legislation to accompany the strategy. [6906/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 49 together.

The Programme for Government commits to the development of a coherent national waste policy, adhering to the waste hierarchy, which will aim to minimise waste disposal in landfill and maximise recovery. I am prioritising this commitment, as I am anxious to provide early regulatory certainty, in the form of both policy and legislation, to ensure that the necessary actions and investments are progressed to achieve those aims. I have recently signed regulations to complete Ireland's transposition of the Waste Framework Directive, giving statutory status to the waste hierarchy in Irish law, and I will be addressing other legislative issues shortly when the House debates the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which has been restored to the Order Paper.

I intend, at an early opportunity, to advise the Oireachtas of the guiding principles which will inform the development of waste policy. That policy will address all tiers of the waste hierarchy, including incineration, and, in accordance with the Programme for Government commitments, will also address a number of other issues, including:

- Changes to the structure of the household waste collection market;

- The related issue of waivers for low income households; and

- Producer responsibility initiatives and requirements.

I look forward to engaging with parliamentary colleagues and the range of interests in the waste sector in the development of the new policy framework. My aim is to complete the policy development process this year.