asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the widespread public opposition to the proposed siting of a dump for toxic waste at the tiphead at Dunsink, County Dublin, and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am aware from press and radio reports that the West Finglas Tenants' Association have formed an action committee to oppose a recent decision of Dublin County Council to provide limited facilities at Dunsink tiphead for reception of restricted quantities and qualities of industrial, including toxic, waste.

It appears to me from these reports that the association are unaware of the restricted nature of the decision and are under the impression that the tip will be used for indiscriminate dumping of all kinds of hazardous substances. This is a completely erroneous view. The council are a responsible body with a long history of care for public health in their area through the services they provide. No councillor would wish to be associated with any project which would be likely to create a hazard to public health.

My understanding is that the council were very much alive to the critical position in which many industries were placed a short time ago. Two major waste contractors decided to cease disposal operations on certain unauthorised dumps. This could have led to factory closures and to illicit dumping of industrial wastes around the country. By helping to solve the problem the county council are safeguarding both jobs and public health in their area. I must point out that there is no statutory obligation on local authorities to accept industrial waste for disposal, but it is difficult to see how the problem can be dealt with in a satisfactory and economical way without their assistance. Accordingly, I wish to commend Dublin County Council on their public-spirited approach and rapid response to a difficult situation.

In accepting industrial waste at Dunsink the council will be operating on a selective basis. No waste will be accepted without prior investigation and certification by the IIRS. It will still be open to the council to refuse any waste if they have any reservations. They are arranging to take their own samples and will have the necessary specialist staff and facilities to exercise proper control. Leachate from this site is already drained into the sewerage system and will, of course, be monitored. Underground water in the vicinity of the site is being monitored already and this will be continued to ensure that there is no deterioration.

I have not dealt in any detail with the special advantage of the site or the precautions being taken because I assume that the county council will provide this information to anybody concerned. There has been some complaint that they did not send a representative to the meeting of the West Finglas Tenants' Association, but I understand that the assistant county manager feels that he should place the matter before the west county committee of the county council before entering into any discussions. The committee's next meeting will be on 4 December 1980.

Does the Minister know if at any stage before this decision was finally taken the residents in the area were directly approached by the representatives of the county council?

I have no information on that.

In view of the experience we have had in Cork in relation to the Ovens dispute surely the Minister agrees that the first thing which should be required, since he referred to it as a Dublin regional site, is to elicit the possible reaction of the residents. Surely, in view of the question being down here, his brief should have that information.

I am aware that Dublin Corporation have arranged to meet a deputation from the West Finglas Residents Association.

A final supplementary. We have done only four questions in almost 15 minutes.

Does the Minister not think that, since the decision is in the functional area of Dublin County Council and that it will be made by them, a deputation of tenants going to see the landlord, Dublin Corporation, will hardly ease the problem since Dublin Corporation have no functional activity in this matter?

I have also said that I assume the county council will decide at the west county meeting about the matter. It is a decision for them if they will meet a deputation from the West Finglas tenants.