asked the Minister for the Environment if he will institute an inquiry into the finding of asbestos waste at the city dump in Cork.

: No. It is a matter for Cork Corporation as the local sanitary authority and owners of the dump to decide on the waste to be accepted and on the controls and procedures to be observed to ensure proper management.

: Is the Minister not aware of the dangers of asbestos? Are there any regulations in his Department regarding the control of such waste?

: With regard to the particular dump concerned, in order to put the record right, the dump at Kinsale Road is operated very efficiently for a start. Waste received is buried each day at the face of the tip. Considerable use is made of mechanical equipment to handle and cover refuse quickly and fill the area with grass with minimum delay. The particular trucks referred to by the Deputy have to be certified as not carrying the type of waste to which he referred in his question by the attendants at the dump. They have to be certified before they will permit them to come in.

: Are there regulations in the Minister's Department governing the dumping of asbestos waste? If there are not is he considering introducing such regulations?

: The question of whether or not asbestos waste is really dangerous is not finalised in any way. Some newspapers seem to think it is, but it is not accepted by both sides. With regard to the question the Deputy has asked these dumps are controlled by local authorities who are well capable of dealing with the matters which are put in the dumps.

: Is the Minister aware that in the Safety in Industry Bill, which is at present going through the House, the question of asbestos in factories is dealt with? The Minister's colleague, the Minister for Labour, has dealt with this subject. Would he not consult with the Minister for Labour and then consider issuing regulations in relation to the dumping of asbestos by local authorities?

: If it is necessary I will do so.

: May I take it that the Minister will investigate another review as soon as possible and that he will let the House know?

: Yes.