asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if the toxic waste industrial dump required under EEC Regulations for the asbestos waste from the factory in County Cork has been acquired; and, if not, the proposed methods of dealing with the waste.

The EEC Directive—78/319 EEC—relating to toxic and dangerous waste does not stipulate a particular disposal method for such waste. The directive requires that the necessary measures be taken to ensure that the waste to which it relates is disposed of without endangering human health or harming the environment.

I believe that the present temporary arrangements for the disposal of the waste from the Raybestos factory in Cork, which are in accordance with the conditions laid down by An Bord Pleanála, satisfy those criteria. I understand that the question of the provision to be made for the future accommodation of wastes, including industrial wastes, in the country, is at present under consideration by Cork County Council having regard to the relevant Community directives and a request by the Minister for the Environment to local authorities generally that they undertake the drafting of waste disposal plans.

Is the disposal area to which the Minister is referring the dump at Ringaskiddy to which the local inhabitants objected?

No. Cork County Council are considering the provision somewhere in County Cork of a specific toxic waste dump but not at Ringaskiddy.

Or at Ovens?

Not at Ovens either.

Can the Minister tell us in which area the county council are looking for a site?

I cannot tell the Deputy that.

Presumably it is in somebody's constituency.

Question No. 22.

This one must be in the Dublin-Euro constituency. Never before has a campaign started so early.

He is earning his money unlike some of the candidates in the Minister's party.

I do not understand the shallow nature of the Minister's remark.

I am sure Deputy O'Connell will understand it.

County Cork is far removed from the constituency in which I am contesting a European Parliament seat. Is the Minister satisfied with the present temporary arrangements for the disposal of toxic waste?

I am satisfied with them purely as a temporary measure but not in any sense of their being a long-term measure. Cork County Council are taking the necessary steps to provide a permanent toxic waste dump somewhere in the county.

Although the Minister is showing his impatience——

The Chair is impatient regarding progress.

——can he, this very busy Minister, tell us how long he expects the present temporary arrangements to be in operation?

Not for very long.