The Minster for the Environment, Mr Cullen, has that warned local authorities that don't implement waste-management policies are in danger of discouraging foreign investment and suffering severe economic consequences.
Speaking at the publication today of a progress report on waste management in Ireland entitled Waste Management - Taking Stock and Moving Forward, the Minister said waste management was now the "top priority" of businesses wishing to invest in the country.
He said the implementation of the waste management plan in the regions was "not a cherry-picking exercise," and warned that regions that failed to deliver waste management infrastructure "would be hurt" and would not be in a position to attract investment.
According to the figures published on the implementation of incineration facilities, the Connacht, Clare, Kerry and Limerick regions had "no progress to report" while the southeast, northeast and Dublin regions had made most progress..
Mr Cullen said there were signs of improvement and that 42 per cent of households recycled waste. The rate of recycling household waste rose to an estimated 20 per cent in Dublin in 2003, while the national average was only 5.6 per cent in 2001.
He said that in an EU context, Ireland was ahead in some areas but that his ambition was for Ireland to be ranked in the top four of EU countries that recycled waste. He added he was confident Ireland could meet targets if the momentum was kept up
