Written answers

Tuesday, 4 April 2017

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Waste Disposal

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

612. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount it cost to dispose of contaminated recycled waste recently returned here; the way in which it was funded; if this was the first occasion this occurred; if not, the detail of the previous incidents and the way they were handled; the amount it cost; the measures being taken to ensure it is not repeated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16127/17]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Statistics and information on shipments of waste to and from Ireland, including repatriated waste, are not kept by my Department. Such information is maintained by the National Transfrontier Shipments Office (NTFSO) as the National Competent Authority for the export, import and transit of waste shipments under the Waste Management (Shipments of Waste) Regulations, 2007.

The liability for the costs associated with repatriated waste shipments carried out under the TFS notification procedure are as prescribed in the Shipments of Waste Regulations. Under these Regulations the notifier of a proposed waste shipment is legally obliged to put in place a Financial Guarantee to cover liabilities resulting from shipments carried out under notification. The purpose of the Financial Guarantee is to cover costs arising in the context of cases where a notified shipment of waste cannot be completed as intended, or in cases where a shipment or the intended recovery or disposal is deemed illegal.

On foot of the recent issues with the transit of a number of containers through Rotterdam, my Department and the NTFSO have met with the Dutch Authorities to agree early warning systems for suspect shipments. The NTFSO has also carried out inspections of the facilities where the contaminated material was originally processed and has met with the waste broker concerned with a view to improving the broker’s inspection and monitoring procedures in order to reduce the risk of repeated incidents in the future.

It is recognised that the co-mingled recycling bin can be contaminated with non-recyclable items due to a number of factors including awareness of what can or cannot be recycled on behalf of the household customer. To improve awareness rates I have allocated substantial funding (€1.6m) in 2017 towards a national waste campaign which will focus on waste prevention and waste segregation. The campaign will support householders to increase their recycling rates and assist them in avoiding the contamination of recyclate and organic waste.

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

613. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the locations of the remaining open municipal waste sites; the areas that the waste is drawn from; if the current situation of concentrating on a limited number of areas complies with best practice waste principles; the changes that are expected; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16178/17]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

According to a recent EPA report, Ireland's Environment - An Assessment 2016, there were six operating landfills in the State in 2016.

In accordance with legislation, waste management planning, including infrastructure provision, is the statutory responsibility of local authorities. Under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act, I am 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.

My role as Minister is to provide a comprehensive legislative and waste policy framework through which the relevant regulatory bodies, such as the local authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency, operate. In this regard, in line with a measure contained in the Government policy, A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland, three Regional Waste Management Planning Lead Authorities have been designated by the local authority sector and three regional waste management plans for the period 2015 to 2021 are in place since May 2015.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.