asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, for implementing a national policy for waste disposal and if he will make a statement on the matter.

It is my intention that planning for waste disposal should be developed on a comprehensive basis. I have asked local authorities to undertake the preparation of draft waste disposal plans and have provided them with guidance as to the form and content of such plans. This work is seen as an important stage in improving the provision for meeting waste disposal needs.

More generally, my Department, in consultation with other Departments, is engaged in carrying out an examination of the law relating to waste collection, handling and disposal, as a basis for such legislative changes as may be needed to cope with modern problems. I intend in due course to bring before the Government any proposals necessary to provide local authorities with adequate powers to control waste operations and to ensure that policy aims in regard to the maintenance of proper standards and the avoidance of nuisance in the handling and disposal of waste are achieved.

In the course of drawing up these studies are local authorities going to take any advice from or examine the practice of local authorities in continental countries?

Yes. It is the intention to examine what has happened in other countries where they have dealt with this problem effectively.

Would it be envisaged that large authorities like Dublin Corporation or Cork Corporation might introduce standardised waste bins which could cut very much the manual labour of collecting them by fitting them with lugs on to an automatic fitting machine?

I would not say it is the intention at present but it is under consideration. At the moment it is being studied in co-operation with local authorities.

Ought it not to be a fairly urgent matter? I should like to know if the Minister can name any other city—leaving aside the current wave of disputes—in which it is possible to see domestic refuse assembled in every possible kind of container, or none, from cardboard boxes to plastic bags.

The Chair is getting tired of the licence the Deputy is taking.

It was not I who put down the question. It was put down by one of the Minister's Deputies.

Question No. 8.

Would the Minister not agree that this needs urgent handling? The way in which refuse is not being collected is a disgrace.

I agree that improvements will have to take place.

Would the Minister agree that a standardised refuse container which can be tipped automatically——

I agree that would be more manageable in every way.

Would the Minister confirm that, in the context of this review, the concepts of recycling waste and incineration will be fully and adequately considered?

Recycling is being considered. There are countries where they are far more advanced with regard to recycling than we are. We are being kept informed of any advances in recycling.

And incineration?

Question No. 8.

Would the Minister——

No. I have called Question No. 8.

A Cheann Comhairle——

Please, Deputy. Question No. 8.

The Deputy has not been allowed to ask a question.

That is not the criterion I use.

I want to ask one question.

When I call Question No. 8 three times I am entitled to have it answered.

You are not being fair to me.

If the Deputy offered to ask a question before Question Time was being monopolised by other Deputies I would have permitted him.