15/02/2011

Minister Ó Cuív Welcomes National Waste Report

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Éamon Ó Cuív, has noted the publication by the Environmental Protection Agency of the National Waste Report for 2009.

The report provides vital data in assessing the performance of Ireland in the management of its waste. It also provides a very helpful input into the development of waste policy. The Minister paid tribute to the EPA and all those involved in the production of the report.

“I am heartened by the way Ireland continues to make progress in the management of waste. In particular, the increasing recycling rates documented in the report and the progress towards meeting Ireland’s obligations under the EU Landfill Directive are very heartening.”

In relation to areas for attention, the Minister said his Department would be considering the report very carefully, not just in relation to its overall messages but also in relation to areas requiring particularly focused action. Ensuring improved performance in the management of end of life vehicles is one area where further progress is required and the Department will be engaging urgently with the motor industry in that regard.

“I commend the achievement of a packaging recovery and recycling rate of 70% and believe that, in these challenging economic times, we must focus even more on attaining such rates in the most efficient manner. In terms of our overall approach to waste management, it is critical that we deliver leading environmental performance in a way that also provides value for money for business and for the consumer,” concluded the Minister.

(GK)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

25 November 2009
Government Brings Forward Payment To Farmers
Farmers' funding calls have been answered as the Government concedes their point, bringing forward payment allocations for the struggling industry.
08 February 2008
Ireland Must Generate Less Waste
Efforts to recycle are being undermined by the increasing amount of waste we produce, according to the Minister of State. Speaking at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Minister of State Tony Killeen said: “We should recycle and recover all our waste – but we must generate less waste to recycle”.
01 March 2012
Ireland Meets Targets For Most EU Directive Requirements
Ireland is well advanced in achieving most of the EU waste recovery and recycling targets, with the exception of end of life vehicle targets, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Waste Report 2010 released.
26 November 2015
Govt Accused Of Putting Lives At Risk With Water Treatment System
The government has been accused of putting lives at risk with its "failure" to put in place a 21st century water treatment system. Sinn Féin Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh made the comment following the publication of the Environmental Protection Agency's Urban Waste Water Report for 2014.
04 February 2014
Cllrs Call For Changes To Waste Management Act
Dublin City Council have passed a motion to return authority over waste management to the Council. Councillors made the decision at a meeting on Monday evening. A review of the waste management licences will now be initiated. The Council will also ask the Environment Minister to change the Waste Management Act.