James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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581. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied there is sufficient regulation for the large scale storage of sludge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8471/17]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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582. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied there are sufficient regulations for the transfer of large scale sludge from one county to another; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8472/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 581 and 582 together.

Sewage sludge is subject to a range of regulatory controls under national legislation across a number of Departments. In terms of waste legislation under my remit as Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, those who wish to store sewage sludge must:

- satisfy themselves as to whether a Licence (under the Waste Management Act 1996 or the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992), a Waste Facility Permit (under the Waste Management (Facility Permit and Registration) Regulations 2007) or a Certificate of Registration (under the Waste Management (Registration of Sewage Sludge Facility) Regulations 2010 is required for the facility and apply to the relevant authority (Environmental Protection Agency or local authority), where necessary; and

- ensure that vehicles transporting sewage sludge hold a Waste Collection Permit as required under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007.

My role as Minister is to provide a comprehensive legislative and policy framework through which the relevant regulatory bodies, such as local authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency, operate.  In terms of waste legislation governing the storage and transport of sewage sludge, I am satisfied that this is the case.  Compliance with, and enforcement of, the conditions attached to a waste authorisation, or indeed the enforcement of the provisions of waste legislation in general (such as the general duty of a holder of waste under section 32 of the Waste Management Act, 1996), are the responsibility of the relevant regulatory body.