Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline projects which his Department cooperates with the Department of the Environment in the North. [54154/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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There is ongoing co-operation between my Department and the Department of Environment in Northern Ireland including discussions on matters of common interest and implementation of specific projects and programmes. Much of this activity is brought forward under the aegis of the North South ministerial Council. Current and recent activity includes:

- Co-operation on an all-island Bulky Waste Reuse Best Practice Management Feasibility Study which will be published shortly.

- Publication of an All-Island Recycled Plastic Waste Arisings Study.

- Joint implementation of a framework agreement for the repatriation of waste which originated in this State but which was illegally disposed of in Northern Ireland.

- Jointly undertaking an all-island tyre survey that will assist in the regulation and enforcement of this waste stream. It is expected that the final report will be completed shortly.

- Joint implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive and River Basin Management planning in the International River Basin Districts (Shannon, Neagh-Bann and North-Western).

- Co-funding of a range of projects under the EU PEACE III and INTERREG IVA Programmes.

- Exploration of opportunities to cooperate on implementation of EU Directives on Ambient Air Quality and Noise.