Sustaining Progress - Department of Taoiseach

2.9 Waste Management
NESC said in its Report that it believed the effective management of the waste problem is one of the
highest priorities in Ireland for the next three years. The Report said that:
■ the effective management of waste needs to incorporate both regulatory and spatial institutions;
■ there is currently a lack of co-operation within and between regions in addressing the waste
management crisis, with the problem seemingly being passed from one agent to another;
■ overly optimistic recycling targets may mask the need for a more concerted incineration and
landfill policy;
■ increased producer responsibility is limited by the fact that much of the resulting waste stream
is imported from abroad;
■ there is a tension between an enhanced civic culture, in which citizens would take more
responsibility, and the incentive to free-ride;
■ the drive to tackle waste management ought to encompass all of civil society and incorporate
not only waste management companies and local authorities but also enhanced producer and
consumer responsibility; and
■ there needs to be a set of institutions with sufficient power of delivery to ensure a
satisfactory outcome.
There has been a significant effort in recent years to identify an effective policy response to this issue.
A policy framework has now been put in place, as reflected in the Government’s policy statement of
March 2002. The Government will publish in 2003 a national overview of regional waste management
plans, which will include appropriate measures to speed up implementation.
An integrated approach to waste management is required that would involve full and speedy
implementation of local authority waste management plans and the National Hazardous Waste
Management Plan, rapid expansion of the national recycling effort and the introduction of initiatives
to ensure that individual economic sectors take responsibility for their own waste. Appropriate landfill
bans on materials such as packaging need to be introduced to maximise the efficient use of resources
and eliminate unnecessary land filling. Levies or other economic instruments need to be considered
where appropriate.
Government will, under this theme, work with the social partners to develop a shared understanding
of the actions necessary to underpin the effective management of the waste management problem.
2.10 Improving the Health of the Nation – Tackling Alcohol and Drug Misuse
This theme has been selected because of its importance to the quality of life and well-being of the
population, both in the short-term and importantly in the longer-term.
In 2000 Ireland ranked second highest among EU Member States in terms of per capita alcohol
consumption. A pilot study showed that alcohol was a factor for 25% of those attending a hospital
A&E Department. Alcohol is estimated to be associated with at least 30% of all Irish road accidents
and 40% of all fatal accidents. Alcohol misuse is a significant risk factor in suicide and alcohol
disorders are a main cause of admissions to psychiatric hospitals. Marriage counselling services
Chapter 2 Special Initiatives
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