Is the Minister concerned about the fact that 66 per cent of toxic waste is disposed of by producers here at their own sites? Will the Minister indicate to what extent those sites are inspected to ensure that the disposal techniques guarantee that the public safety will be protected? Will the Minister confirm that the method of disposal of asbestos waste by the ESB and which was discovered in the last few days, is something that must be avoided? Will the Minister indicate the steps his Department intend to take to ensure that there is no repetition of such an incident?

I agree that the type of incident which occurred in the midlands and was referred to by the Deputy should not have happened.

It should not have prompted the shrug of the shoulder attitude from the ESB when it was discovered.

I agree with the Deputy's view.

It was a disgraceful response.

The amount of waste discovered, and the method of disposal of it, is a matter of great concern to me, the Department and the local authority who are the monitoring authority for such disposals.

And to all citizens.

Yes. There is also a need to have a closer examination of the facilities that will be put in use for the disposal of similar type of waste that exists in that area. The amount found is not the limit of such waste that is in that plant. It will be carefully watched so as to ensure that it is disposed of in the proper manner.

Can the Minister assure the House that there will not be a repetition of such lapses by any producers?

I am calling Deputy Quinn.

I should like to compliment the Minister on the detail of his reply and request him to ask the civil servant who prepared it to answer the other questions put to the Minister on the Order Paper. If he does so we will have a less fractious Question Time.

I take every comfort from what the Deputy says. He will be delighted to know that it is because of the close proximity of the ERU staff that the Minister is in a position to make such detailed replies.

That is not true.