Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 488: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his policy on incineration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11059/12]

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 489: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his policy on the Poolbeg incinerator, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11060/12]

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 490: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his policy on landfill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11061/12]

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 491: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his policy on hazardous waste; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11062/12]

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 492: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his policy on the privatisation of waste management services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11063/12]

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 493: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his policy on waste management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11064/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 488 to 493, inclusive, 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. The new national waste policy will address all tiers of the waste hierarchy, including recycling, recovery and disposal, and will also address other matters, such as the roles of the public and private sectors. I expect to be in a position to submit final proposals in relation to national waste policy to Government by Easter this year.

Responsibility for hazardous waste management planning is assigned to the Environmental Protection Agency under the Waste Management Act 1996. The National Hazardous Waste Management Plan 2008-2012 sets out priority actions for prevention, collection, self sufficiency and management of hazardous wastes. The Plan is scheduled to be reviewed in 2012.

As regards the Poolbeg project, in accordance with the provisions of the Waste Management Acts, the preparation and adoption of a waste management plan, including in respect of infrastructure provision, is the statutory responsibility of the local authority or authorities concerned, and under section 60(3) of the Act the Minister is precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it. The Poolbeg project is being advanced by Dublin City Council, acting on behalf of the four Dublin local authorities. Questions concerning the status of the project should be directed to the City Council.