asked the Minister for the Environment whether the consultancy study into the provision of a toxic waste disposal facility in this country has yet been completed; and if so, the results of same.

15.

asked the Minister for the Environment the steps he intends to take to provide a facility for the disposal of toxic waste which is currently disposed of by export to other countries; the nature and amount of such waste which is generated here each year; and the countries to which it is exported.

25.

asked the Minister for the Environment the estimated total tonnage of hazardous and toxic waste produced in this country each year; if he will give a breakdown of the main type of waste; the way in which these wastes are disposed of at present; if he will outline his proposals for the future safe disposal of such waste; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

38.

asked the Minister for the Environment, in respect of the consultancy study relating to the provision of a toxic waste disposal facility currently being undertaken on behalf of his Department, if he will give the following information: (a) the cost of the study, (b) the name of the consultant (s) carrying out the survey, (c) the terms of reference, (d) the duration within which the study is to be completed, and (e) if any interim report has been submitted by the consultant(s); and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 15, 25 and 38 together.

The estimated total volume of waste coming within the EC definition of toxic and dangerous waste which was produced in this country in 1985, the latest year for which such information is available in my Department, is 52,000 tonnes. Of this total, 66 per cent was disposed of by the producers at their own sites or treatment facilities, a further 6 per cent was disposed of by landfill and the remainder was exported for disposal overseas. Most of the exports go to the United Kingdom but small quantities are shipped to France and Finland.

As regards the various categories of waste, I would refer the Deputies to a report on Waste Disposal in Ireland which was published by An Foras Forbartha and copies of which are in the Library.

To assist in considering the development of facilities for the disposal of toxic waste, I commissioned Byrne O Cleirigh Engineering to undertake a feasibility study into the need for and commercial viability of contract incineration facilities here. The study has now been completed and the findings have been considered by the Government. The cost of the study was £30,000, plus VAT and approved vouched expenses.

The study concludes that there is no immediate threat to overseas incineration outlets for Irish hazardous wastes but that they could be at risk in the medium to longer term due to a variety of factors. The study finds that demand on a central incineration facility would be unlikely to go higher than 5,000 tonnes per annum in the medium term and estimates that the capital costs of such a facility would be in the £6 million to £8 million range. In addition, the consultants made recommendations about possible legal and organisational arrangements, including the role of the Government and public authorities.

I am anxious that this country should achieve the maximum degree of self- sufficiency in hazardous waste disposal as soon as possible. However, the provision of a satisfactory national incineration capability is dependant on effective inter-locking of a range of factors and circumstances, serveral of which need to be examined further. This process is under-way. I intend also that copies of the consultants' report will be made available to interests concerned and I will be inviting them to develop proposals for the provision of suitable incineration facilities. I should make it clear, however that the Government do not intend to become involved in the provision of such facilities, either directly or on a joint venture basis.

I have arranged for copies of the consultants report to be placed in the Library. A shorter version of the report, outlining the main conclusions and recommendations, is being made available for general information.

Does the Minister accept that EC regulations will within a relatively short period prohibit the transhipment of toxic waste and that that will render even more urgent the need for such a facility here? Will the Minister accept that there is considerable environmental concern about the dumping of dangerous toxic wastes off our coast and that that is another reason why it is necessary to have a domestic facility here?

There is always concern about the matters raised by the Deputy, and I share them. From the information available to me there is no danger in the immediate future that we will be denied facilities for incineration of certain types of wastes abroad. That does not seem to be on at the moment but from my experience at environmental council meetings over the last year or two I can see that there is an indication that countries will be asked to dispose of their own waste. It was for that reason that I took the initiative to find out how much waste we have, the type of waste and where it is going to.

What is happening to the waste now? That is something we do not know.

That is important.

That is the real danger.

It is with that in mind that I commissioned the report. I invite Deputies to read the report.