asked the Minister for the Environment his proposals concerning a strategy for the safe disposal of industrial and toxic waste.

The strategy which has been adopted involves the setting up of a central facility for the reception and disposal of problem wastes and a programme for the establishment of a network of local authority tips at which industrial wastes could be disposed of under controlled conditions in association with household wastes. The work necessary for the implementation, including the financing, of the proposals is proceeding as quickly as possible and I hope to be in a position to make a further announcement in the matter in the near future.

In the meantime, local authorities are proceeding with plans for waste disposal in their areas, and additional regulations relating to the disposal of toxic and dangerous wastes will be introduced in the near future.

Is the Minister in a position to say what site has been selected for the central facility?

I am not.

Would the Minister care to tell the House what sites are being considered?

There are a number of sites under consideration but I am not prepared to say where they are.

Would the Minister say when he will be making a decision on the central facility because of the need for a toxic waste dump to prevent the type of incident which occurred in his own county and others, with the loss of fish life and so on?

I am very concerned about this and appreciate the urgency with which the matter must be tackled. I am pursuing it as the number one priority in my Department. I hope to be able to make an announcement shortly.

In the consideration of the site for the central facility, would the Minister confirm that the Dublin County Council site in Finglas will not be the site for the facility?

I do not think I should proceed any further. I am not willing to say what sites are under consideration. By a process of elimination the Deputy would be able to boil it down if he were to continue that line of questioning. The Deputy has a pretty good idea of the sites.