ARCHAEOLOGISTS believe they have discovered what may have been Cork’s ancient capital, built 3,200 years ago at a time when Rameses III was pharaoh of Egypt.
A team of archaeologists from UCC, led by Professor William O’Brien, have carried out extensive research that sheds new light on what is the largest prehistoric monument in Co Cork and the oldest dated ringfort in the country.
Their three-year project, funded by the Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Sciences and the Royal Irish Academy, shows that huge wooden defence walls once surrounded the ringfort at Knockavilla, near Innishannon.
Radiocarbon dating shows that the ringfort was constructed about 1200BC confirming it as the oldest known prehistoric ringfort in Ireland, according to Prof O’Brien. This puts its importance on a par with prehistoric sites such as Dún Aengus on Inishmore and Mooghaun, Co Clare.
Archaeologists have concluded that several thousand timber posts surrounded the ancient structure, known as the “cathair”, which enclosed nearly 20 acres — enough space for today’s developers to construct about 300 houses.
It would have taken hundreds, if not thousands, of people to construct it and may have been built in a matter of months.
“The antiquity and immense size of this monument suggests that it was one of the most important prehistoric settlements in the south-west region, and arguably Cork’s first capital,” said Prof O’Brien.
The outer defence walls had a perimeter of more than one kilometre and were built with wattle fencing. These were erected behind a dug-out ditch defence.
The inner timber defence, built entirely of solid oak, was 800m at its perimeter.
Archaeologists discovered evidence that part of the inner palisade fence had been burnt, which Prof O’Brien and his team believe “was a deliberate act of war”.
The people who built the ringfort may have been slaughtered.
At any rate their kingdom seems to have disintegrated as no efforts were made to repair the fort and it was never inhabited again.
Irish Examiner
Tuesday, 21 August 2007
Gormley extends Skellig Michael consultation
Mr John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has announced an extension to the public consultation process regarding the Draft Management Plan for Skellig Michael World Heritage Site.
In 1996, Skellig Michael was inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO - the body which selects World Heritage Sites as representing the best international examples of cultural and natural heritage. The Draft Management Plan sets out the measures required to ensure the protection, conservation and management of this important heritage site for the next ten years, to 2017.
This draft plan is a comprehensive document which gives detailed information on the history of Skellig Michael, a description of the features of the site, the natural heritage elements of the island and the statutory protection measures which relate to the site.
The Minister outlined that the draft plan documents the conservation works carried out to-date by the Office of Public Works in accordance with best international practice to protect and conserve this World Heritage Site. It also details proposed future works - including ongoing maintenance works - confirms current arrangements regarding visitor access and addresses other important management issues.
In order to facilitate the most inclusive consultation process possible, the Minister has extended the deadline for receipt of submissions on the draft management plan to 28 September, 2007.
The Minister stated that he was been pleased with the high level of interest in the draft plan and he would encourage all community interest groups, professional and technical personnel and the wider public to actively engage in this worthwhile public consultation process.
In 1996, Skellig Michael was inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO - the body which selects World Heritage Sites as representing the best international examples of cultural and natural heritage. The Draft Management Plan sets out the measures required to ensure the protection, conservation and management of this important heritage site for the next ten years, to 2017.
This draft plan is a comprehensive document which gives detailed information on the history of Skellig Michael, a description of the features of the site, the natural heritage elements of the island and the statutory protection measures which relate to the site.
The Minister outlined that the draft plan documents the conservation works carried out to-date by the Office of Public Works in accordance with best international practice to protect and conserve this World Heritage Site. It also details proposed future works - including ongoing maintenance works - confirms current arrangements regarding visitor access and addresses other important management issues.
In order to facilitate the most inclusive consultation process possible, the Minister has extended the deadline for receipt of submissions on the draft management plan to 28 September, 2007.
The Minister stated that he was been pleased with the high level of interest in the draft plan and he would encourage all community interest groups, professional and technical personnel and the wider public to actively engage in this worthwhile public consultation process.
Ballybane Neighbourhood Village Project reaches final submission stage of the UN World Habitat Awards 2007
Galway City Council's entry of 'The Ballybane Neighbourhood Village Project' in the World Habitat Awards 2006/2007 reached the final submission stage of the awards.
A citation honouring the project reaching the final submission stage of the Awards will be granted to the City Council shortly. Pictures of the Ballybane Neighbourhood Village Project will also feature in the Building and Social Housing Foundation calendar for 2008.
The Ballybane Neighbourhood Village Project was selected among 12 projects in the world which competed for the United Nations Habitat Award 2006/2007. This is the first occasion that an Irish project has been deemed worthy of inclusion in this selection.
The Project has already won (for Galway City Council) the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland Award for Excellence in Community Development and also the Taoiseach's Award for Excellence in Local Government this year.
The Ballybane Neighbourhood Village Project is the result of a public private partnership to provide a neighbourhood centre in an area of social disadvantage. It consists of enterprise units, a credit union outlet, retail outlets, a library, medical centre, Garda room and residential units.
World Habitat Awards
The World Habitat Awards were established in 1985 by the Building and Social Housing Foundation, as part of its contribution to the United Nations International Year of Shelter for the Homeless.
Two awards are given annually to projects from the global north as well as the south that provide practical and innovative solutions to current housing needs and problems. Every year an award of £10,000 is presented to each of the two winners at the annual United Nations global celebration of World Habitat Day. Travel and accommodation costs are also met for one representative of each winning project to attend the awards ceremony.
A citation honouring the project reaching the final submission stage of the Awards will be granted to the City Council shortly. Pictures of the Ballybane Neighbourhood Village Project will also feature in the Building and Social Housing Foundation calendar for 2008.
The Ballybane Neighbourhood Village Project was selected among 12 projects in the world which competed for the United Nations Habitat Award 2006/2007. This is the first occasion that an Irish project has been deemed worthy of inclusion in this selection.
The Project has already won (for Galway City Council) the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland Award for Excellence in Community Development and also the Taoiseach's Award for Excellence in Local Government this year.
The Ballybane Neighbourhood Village Project is the result of a public private partnership to provide a neighbourhood centre in an area of social disadvantage. It consists of enterprise units, a credit union outlet, retail outlets, a library, medical centre, Garda room and residential units.
World Habitat Awards
The World Habitat Awards were established in 1985 by the Building and Social Housing Foundation, as part of its contribution to the United Nations International Year of Shelter for the Homeless.
Two awards are given annually to projects from the global north as well as the south that provide practical and innovative solutions to current housing needs and problems. Every year an award of £10,000 is presented to each of the two winners at the annual United Nations global celebration of World Habitat Day. Travel and accommodation costs are also met for one representative of each winning project to attend the awards ceremony.
O'Keeffe to 'ramp-up' action against anti-social behaviour
Mr. Batt O'Keeffe, T.D., Minister for Housing, Urban Renewal and Developing Areas, has pledged to ramp-up action against anti-social behaviour in local authority housing estates.
"Stronger powers and more resources will be key to ensuring that local authorities can respond - not only to the symptoms, but also to the causes of such behaviour" - the Minister said. "Anti-social behaviour disrupts the lives of householders and has the potential to destabilise communities" - he continued.
"Local authorities - as landlords of some 110,000 dwellings - have a duty to secure and protect the interests of their tenants as far as reasonably possible, by abating or preventing anti-social behaviour in their estates."
Action against the symptoms - stronger laws
The Minister aims to tackle the symptoms of anti-social behaviour in local authority estates by advancing strong, new legislation as quickly as possible.
The planned legislation will provide a more powerful and comprehensive legal framework within which local authorities and approved housing bodies can operate, promote a more expansive, pro-active and integrated response by local authorities and voluntary and co-operative housing bodies to the problem and improve liaison between local authorities, housing bodies and the Gardaí in dealing with individuals behaving in an anti-social manner in social housing estates.
Building on the existing powers of local authorities to apply to the District Court for an order to exclude a person engaging in anti-social behaviour from a local authority dwelling and estate, the proposed legislation will include provision for -
* A broader definition of what constitutes anti-social behaviour, in line with the definition included in the Criminal Justice Act 2006;
* Adoption by the local elected members of a policy to combat anti-social behaviour;
* A tiered approach to dealing with individual cases - culminating, if necessary, in an excluding order application.
Action against the causes - projects worth €8 million on the way
The Minister is determined not only to deal with the symptoms of anti-social behaviour, but also to engage with the causes. "We need to tackle a range of issues if we are to eliminate anti-social behaviour" - the Minister said. "All our State Agencies need to dovetail their activities to deliver a holistic approach to improving the day-to-day lives of persons who may find themselves marginalised. Local authorities can play a key role in tackling aspects of social exclusion, improving community morale and delivering better housing services.
"For this reason" - added the Minister - "my Department has significantly increased funding this year to support the efforts of housing authorities to enhance services and living conditions in local authority estates. This is on top of funding under the Housing Management Initiative, which has operated successfully for many years."
The new Sustainable Communities Fund was introduced this year to enable local authorities take further initiatives to improve quality of life in their housing estates and to ensure that these estates integrate successfully into the wider community. The Department has sought innovative proposals from local authorities under the Fund which aim to deliver real and lasting benefits in terms of residents' experiences of their living environments.
The Minister indicated that consideration of the individual proposals under the scheme is being finalised. He looks forward to announcing allocations under the fund in the near future, which will provide finance to projects around the country worth at least €8 million over the next three years.
The Minister will also be making funds in excess of €1 million available to local authorities later this year under the Housing Management Initiative. This Initiative has, since 1995, provided some €6.25 million to local authorities in support of about 470 projects around the country, which aim to deliver better housing services to local authority tenants.
"Stronger powers and more resources will be key to ensuring that local authorities can respond - not only to the symptoms, but also to the causes of such behaviour" - the Minister said. "Anti-social behaviour disrupts the lives of householders and has the potential to destabilise communities" - he continued.
"Local authorities - as landlords of some 110,000 dwellings - have a duty to secure and protect the interests of their tenants as far as reasonably possible, by abating or preventing anti-social behaviour in their estates."
Action against the symptoms - stronger laws
The Minister aims to tackle the symptoms of anti-social behaviour in local authority estates by advancing strong, new legislation as quickly as possible.
The planned legislation will provide a more powerful and comprehensive legal framework within which local authorities and approved housing bodies can operate, promote a more expansive, pro-active and integrated response by local authorities and voluntary and co-operative housing bodies to the problem and improve liaison between local authorities, housing bodies and the Gardaí in dealing with individuals behaving in an anti-social manner in social housing estates.
Building on the existing powers of local authorities to apply to the District Court for an order to exclude a person engaging in anti-social behaviour from a local authority dwelling and estate, the proposed legislation will include provision for -
* A broader definition of what constitutes anti-social behaviour, in line with the definition included in the Criminal Justice Act 2006;
* Adoption by the local elected members of a policy to combat anti-social behaviour;
* A tiered approach to dealing with individual cases - culminating, if necessary, in an excluding order application.
Action against the causes - projects worth €8 million on the way
The Minister is determined not only to deal with the symptoms of anti-social behaviour, but also to engage with the causes. "We need to tackle a range of issues if we are to eliminate anti-social behaviour" - the Minister said. "All our State Agencies need to dovetail their activities to deliver a holistic approach to improving the day-to-day lives of persons who may find themselves marginalised. Local authorities can play a key role in tackling aspects of social exclusion, improving community morale and delivering better housing services.
"For this reason" - added the Minister - "my Department has significantly increased funding this year to support the efforts of housing authorities to enhance services and living conditions in local authority estates. This is on top of funding under the Housing Management Initiative, which has operated successfully for many years."
The new Sustainable Communities Fund was introduced this year to enable local authorities take further initiatives to improve quality of life in their housing estates and to ensure that these estates integrate successfully into the wider community. The Department has sought innovative proposals from local authorities under the Fund which aim to deliver real and lasting benefits in terms of residents' experiences of their living environments.
The Minister indicated that consideration of the individual proposals under the scheme is being finalised. He looks forward to announcing allocations under the fund in the near future, which will provide finance to projects around the country worth at least €8 million over the next three years.
The Minister will also be making funds in excess of €1 million available to local authorities later this year under the Housing Management Initiative. This Initiative has, since 1995, provided some €6.25 million to local authorities in support of about 470 projects around the country, which aim to deliver better housing services to local authority tenants.
White Tailed Eagles released into the wild in Kerry
Mr. John Gormley T.D. Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has released a number of young White Tailed Eagles into the wild in Killarney National Park, as part of the programme to reintroduce this native bird of prey to Ireland.
The Minister said he was delighted to release these magnificent birds into the wild.
The Minister added - "One of my first duties on becoming Minister was to be present last month in County Wicklow at the re-introduction into the wild of a number of young red kites (Click Here). This reintroduction of the White Tailed Eagle complements both the red kite and golden eagle projects."
The Minister continued - "These eagles had pride of place in the cultural and natural heritage of Ireland for hundreds of years - but, due to trapping and shooting in the 19th and early 20th centuries, they became extinct."
The Minister was also pleased to note that the project will help to fulfil part of Ireland's commitment to maintain and enhance our native wildlife under the obligations of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
Minister Gormley said that the project will have a viable and long-term benefit for tourism in the South West Region of Ireland.
"I know that, in Scotland, White Tailed Eagles attract thousands of visitors annually and hopefully, in time, these eagles will attract similar visitor numbers and will prove another attraction in promoting the wild and unspoilt landscape of the south-west region."
The White Tailed Eagle Project is a partnership between the Golden Eagle Trust, The National Parks and Wildlife Service and others - with funding provided by the Minister's Department. The eagle chicks came from Norway and were flown into Kerry Airport in June. The project will operate over a five-year period and will follow the methods of other successful projects in Ireland and Scotland.
It is expected that most of the eagles released will disperse to the coastline after a few months and monitoring will take place after release.
In conclusion, the Minister thanked the White Tailed Eagle Steering Group in bringing this restoration project to fruition. "I know that the co-operation of all those involved in the project will ensure its continued success" - concluded the Minister.
The Minister said he was delighted to release these magnificent birds into the wild.
The Minister added - "One of my first duties on becoming Minister was to be present last month in County Wicklow at the re-introduction into the wild of a number of young red kites (Click Here). This reintroduction of the White Tailed Eagle complements both the red kite and golden eagle projects."
The Minister continued - "These eagles had pride of place in the cultural and natural heritage of Ireland for hundreds of years - but, due to trapping and shooting in the 19th and early 20th centuries, they became extinct."
The Minister was also pleased to note that the project will help to fulfil part of Ireland's commitment to maintain and enhance our native wildlife under the obligations of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
Minister Gormley said that the project will have a viable and long-term benefit for tourism in the South West Region of Ireland.
"I know that, in Scotland, White Tailed Eagles attract thousands of visitors annually and hopefully, in time, these eagles will attract similar visitor numbers and will prove another attraction in promoting the wild and unspoilt landscape of the south-west region."
The White Tailed Eagle Project is a partnership between the Golden Eagle Trust, The National Parks and Wildlife Service and others - with funding provided by the Minister's Department. The eagle chicks came from Norway and were flown into Kerry Airport in June. The project will operate over a five-year period and will follow the methods of other successful projects in Ireland and Scotland.
It is expected that most of the eagles released will disperse to the coastline after a few months and monitoring will take place after release.
In conclusion, the Minister thanked the White Tailed Eagle Steering Group in bringing this restoration project to fruition. "I know that the co-operation of all those involved in the project will ensure its continued success" - concluded the Minister.
Third report from the LGMSB on Local Authority Service Indicators
Mr. John Gormley, TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has welcomed the third report from the Local Government Management Services Board on Local Authority Service Indicators.
The report details the performance of local authorities in 2006 in relation to 42 indicators of service and 160 sub-indicators covering a wide range of local authority activities - e.g. housing, water, planning, fire service, environment and finance.
In welcoming the Report, Minister Gormley pointed out that - "Local government plays a very important role in our everyday lives, so it is essential that services are delivered to the highest standard possible".
He also praised the work of local authorities and their ongoing commitment and drive to ensuring quality customer service. "Progress made by local authorities in recent years is evident by the information contained within the Service Indicator Report. Nonetheless, local authorities must strive to do better to improve services to the public" - he stated.
The Minister hopes that all local authorities will follow the examples of those local authorities which are leading the way. "County Monaghan has 5 times more childrens' playgrounds than average. However, on other issues, local authorities which are lagging behind are encouraged to improve service delivery at all times" - the Minister added. For example, while local authority dwellings are - on average - re-let after less than 4 weeks, some local authorities have average delays of up to 20 weeks.
According to the Report, there is a wide variation in recycling performance for household waste - varying from 6% to 56% between different counties and the Minister called for - "an improved performance for those counties with low recycling rates.
"I am also particularly keen that all planning authorities intensify their efforts in the area of planning enforcement. I am determined that all local authorities take their responsibilities seriously in this regard and my Department will continue to do everything possible to support their efforts."
Minister Gormley continued - "I am committed to the reform of local government and the issue of customer service will be to the forefront of the reform programme outlined in the Programme for Government."
The Minister acknowledged that much effort had been made in recent years by local authorities in focusing on service delivery and it is his intention that the reform programme will build on that work. He went on to say that local government had taken the lead in the public service on reporting on service delivery in such a detailed way for its sector and welcomed the comparison in the report between performance in 2004, 2005 and 2006 - showing that, with a few exceptions, the overall trend was moving in the right direction.
Commenting on the findings, the Minister noted the improvement in a number of indicators compared to 2005, in particular -
* An increase in the use of Library Services - both in the number of registered members and a significant increased availability and usage of internet, now available in virtually all libraries.
* Considerable usage of Pre-planning consultations that are now a key feature of the service provided by planning sections - with a total of 28,113 meetings facilitated nationally.
* With regard to Litter, comparison between 2005 and 2006 show that total percentage of litter-free areas has increased from 6.1% to 6.8% - and, in the case of slightly polluted areas, it has increased from 49.5% to 53.6%. Areas significantly polluted and areas grossly polluted has fallen from 8.5% to 7.4 % and 1.5% to 0.6%, respectively.
The Minister stressed however, that this was an area - "where I am determined to see local authorities ramp up their activity, with a particular focus on enforcement and educate people not to litter".
* Local Authority Housing Stock has increased to 115,386 dwellings - an increase of nearly 1,700 since 2005 and time taken to inform applicants has generally gone down nationally.
The average time to inform applicants of shared ownership has decreased from 11 days in 2005, to 8.7 days in 2006 - in the case of housing loans, it has gone down from an average of 13 days to 8 days in the same period.
The Minister noted that - "while a variety of factors can influence the relative performance of local authorities, the real challenge for each local authority is to put in place a strategy to ensure that its own performance is improved on an ongoing basis".
Minister Gormley asked local authorities to provide feedback and analysis of results to elected members, so that reasons are identified in the case of both good and poor performance. He also urged members of the public to read the report and check out how their council is performing. The report itself provides a wide picture of many local authorities activities.
The Minister also announced that, later in the year, he will make available the outcome of the on-going review of the service indicator initiative, which is being undertaken by the Local Authority Customer Service Group, who drew up the original indicators. Any new indicators or amendments to existing indicators will be in place prior to January 2008 to enable reporting on service delivery.
The Minister acknowledged the important role played by the Independent Assessment Panel, chaired by Professor Philip Bourke - the Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business, UCD - in quality assuring the entire service indicators' process. The other members of the Panel are Ms Mary O'Dea, Consumer Director, Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority and Mr Arthur Coldrick, Chairman of the Performance Verification Group for the Local Government Sector under the National Partnership agreements.
The report details the performance of local authorities in 2006 in relation to 42 indicators of service and 160 sub-indicators covering a wide range of local authority activities - e.g. housing, water, planning, fire service, environment and finance.
In welcoming the Report, Minister Gormley pointed out that - "Local government plays a very important role in our everyday lives, so it is essential that services are delivered to the highest standard possible".
He also praised the work of local authorities and their ongoing commitment and drive to ensuring quality customer service. "Progress made by local authorities in recent years is evident by the information contained within the Service Indicator Report. Nonetheless, local authorities must strive to do better to improve services to the public" - he stated.
The Minister hopes that all local authorities will follow the examples of those local authorities which are leading the way. "County Monaghan has 5 times more childrens' playgrounds than average. However, on other issues, local authorities which are lagging behind are encouraged to improve service delivery at all times" - the Minister added. For example, while local authority dwellings are - on average - re-let after less than 4 weeks, some local authorities have average delays of up to 20 weeks.
According to the Report, there is a wide variation in recycling performance for household waste - varying from 6% to 56% between different counties and the Minister called for - "an improved performance for those counties with low recycling rates.
"I am also particularly keen that all planning authorities intensify their efforts in the area of planning enforcement. I am determined that all local authorities take their responsibilities seriously in this regard and my Department will continue to do everything possible to support their efforts."
Minister Gormley continued - "I am committed to the reform of local government and the issue of customer service will be to the forefront of the reform programme outlined in the Programme for Government."
The Minister acknowledged that much effort had been made in recent years by local authorities in focusing on service delivery and it is his intention that the reform programme will build on that work. He went on to say that local government had taken the lead in the public service on reporting on service delivery in such a detailed way for its sector and welcomed the comparison in the report between performance in 2004, 2005 and 2006 - showing that, with a few exceptions, the overall trend was moving in the right direction.
Commenting on the findings, the Minister noted the improvement in a number of indicators compared to 2005, in particular -
* An increase in the use of Library Services - both in the number of registered members and a significant increased availability and usage of internet, now available in virtually all libraries.
* Considerable usage of Pre-planning consultations that are now a key feature of the service provided by planning sections - with a total of 28,113 meetings facilitated nationally.
* With regard to Litter, comparison between 2005 and 2006 show that total percentage of litter-free areas has increased from 6.1% to 6.8% - and, in the case of slightly polluted areas, it has increased from 49.5% to 53.6%. Areas significantly polluted and areas grossly polluted has fallen from 8.5% to 7.4 % and 1.5% to 0.6%, respectively.
The Minister stressed however, that this was an area - "where I am determined to see local authorities ramp up their activity, with a particular focus on enforcement and educate people not to litter".
* Local Authority Housing Stock has increased to 115,386 dwellings - an increase of nearly 1,700 since 2005 and time taken to inform applicants has generally gone down nationally.
The average time to inform applicants of shared ownership has decreased from 11 days in 2005, to 8.7 days in 2006 - in the case of housing loans, it has gone down from an average of 13 days to 8 days in the same period.
The Minister noted that - "while a variety of factors can influence the relative performance of local authorities, the real challenge for each local authority is to put in place a strategy to ensure that its own performance is improved on an ongoing basis".
Minister Gormley asked local authorities to provide feedback and analysis of results to elected members, so that reasons are identified in the case of both good and poor performance. He also urged members of the public to read the report and check out how their council is performing. The report itself provides a wide picture of many local authorities activities.
The Minister also announced that, later in the year, he will make available the outcome of the on-going review of the service indicator initiative, which is being undertaken by the Local Authority Customer Service Group, who drew up the original indicators. Any new indicators or amendments to existing indicators will be in place prior to January 2008 to enable reporting on service delivery.
The Minister acknowledged the important role played by the Independent Assessment Panel, chaired by Professor Philip Bourke - the Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business, UCD - in quality assuring the entire service indicators' process. The other members of the Panel are Ms Mary O'Dea, Consumer Director, Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority and Mr Arthur Coldrick, Chairman of the Performance Verification Group for the Local Government Sector under the National Partnership agreements.
Sunday, 19 August 2007
'Recycling' is ending up in the dump
A number of Ireland's leading recycling companies are dumping significant amounts of waste from some of their facilities into landfill sites.
Waste management companies, including Oxigen, Thorntons, Panda and Greenstar, are all dumping up to 60 per cent of their waste from some of their facilities into rubbish dumps, according to the latest figures obtained from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Details of the companies' activities, including the percentage tonnage that has ended up in the country's landfills, have been specified in each company's EPA Annual Environmental Report 2006.
The Oxigen group has confirmed that almost all of its waste from its Robin Hood facility, and over 60 per cent of waste (35,000 tonnes) from its Dundalk facility, had been consigned to landfill in 2006.
In the same year, of the total waste content that the Thornton's waste management company sent to its facility on Killeen Road in Dundalk, 59 per cent ended up in a landfill, in comparison to the 41 per cent which has been recycled.
However, a spokesperson for Thorntons has stated that the company has since introduced a new line of recycling equipment into the Dundalk site, which has subsequently led to a reduction in the amount of waste consigned to landfill.
Meanwhile, documents submitted from the Panda waste management company to the EPA illustrate how the company's two largest consignments of waste materials had been destined for landfill sites.
In 2006, Panda sent its largest waste load, nearly 37,000 tonnes, to the Whiteriver landfill site in Co Louth, while an estimated 24,000 tonnes, its second largest batch, was sent to the Knockharley landfill in Co Meath.
Although the Panda waste management company said that it was unable to provide a full breakdown of individual figures for each site at the time of going to print, a spokesperson for the company stated, "Our overall recycling rate for 2006 equates to 81 per cent, therefore 19 per cent of our material was landfilled."
He continued, "Currently there is a massive emphasis on recycling waste from our domestic collection in Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown, with 62 per cent of material recycled. This figure should jump dramatically with the introduction of our new free glass household collection which commences in September."
Meanwhile, waste management companies have explained that the significant level of waste which has been consigned to landfill sites is due to the fact that certain types of waste, such as unsegregated municipal waste, cannot be recycled.
Managing director at Oxigen, Peter McLoughlin, says it has an overall recycling rate of 70 per cent.
"In 2006, nearly 64,000 tonnes of municipal waste was delivered to the Robin Hood site, all of which has been consigned to landfill. All of that material went to landfill because you cannot recycle municipal waste, which is unsegregated."
Stephen Cowman, head of Greenstar, which has an overall recovery rate of 66 per cent, says the Government also has to take a certain amount of responsibility for the low recycling rates at certain sites in Ireland.
"In a recent Forfas report, we ranked among the lowest of the 10 companies that they had actually benchmarked in terms of our waste management infrastructure. So we're coming from a zero base here and the low recovery rate is symptomatic of the fact that we just don't have the right levels of infrastructure in Ireland."
The figures come just a week after it was revealed that the national recycling scheme is under threat because Government targets on waste here have not actually changed in 10 years.
Irish Independent
Waste management companies, including Oxigen, Thorntons, Panda and Greenstar, are all dumping up to 60 per cent of their waste from some of their facilities into rubbish dumps, according to the latest figures obtained from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Details of the companies' activities, including the percentage tonnage that has ended up in the country's landfills, have been specified in each company's EPA Annual Environmental Report 2006.
The Oxigen group has confirmed that almost all of its waste from its Robin Hood facility, and over 60 per cent of waste (35,000 tonnes) from its Dundalk facility, had been consigned to landfill in 2006.
In the same year, of the total waste content that the Thornton's waste management company sent to its facility on Killeen Road in Dundalk, 59 per cent ended up in a landfill, in comparison to the 41 per cent which has been recycled.
However, a spokesperson for Thorntons has stated that the company has since introduced a new line of recycling equipment into the Dundalk site, which has subsequently led to a reduction in the amount of waste consigned to landfill.
Meanwhile, documents submitted from the Panda waste management company to the EPA illustrate how the company's two largest consignments of waste materials had been destined for landfill sites.
In 2006, Panda sent its largest waste load, nearly 37,000 tonnes, to the Whiteriver landfill site in Co Louth, while an estimated 24,000 tonnes, its second largest batch, was sent to the Knockharley landfill in Co Meath.
Although the Panda waste management company said that it was unable to provide a full breakdown of individual figures for each site at the time of going to print, a spokesperson for the company stated, "Our overall recycling rate for 2006 equates to 81 per cent, therefore 19 per cent of our material was landfilled."
He continued, "Currently there is a massive emphasis on recycling waste from our domestic collection in Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown, with 62 per cent of material recycled. This figure should jump dramatically with the introduction of our new free glass household collection which commences in September."
Meanwhile, waste management companies have explained that the significant level of waste which has been consigned to landfill sites is due to the fact that certain types of waste, such as unsegregated municipal waste, cannot be recycled.
Managing director at Oxigen, Peter McLoughlin, says it has an overall recycling rate of 70 per cent.
"In 2006, nearly 64,000 tonnes of municipal waste was delivered to the Robin Hood site, all of which has been consigned to landfill. All of that material went to landfill because you cannot recycle municipal waste, which is unsegregated."
Stephen Cowman, head of Greenstar, which has an overall recovery rate of 66 per cent, says the Government also has to take a certain amount of responsibility for the low recycling rates at certain sites in Ireland.
"In a recent Forfas report, we ranked among the lowest of the 10 companies that they had actually benchmarked in terms of our waste management infrastructure. So we're coming from a zero base here and the low recovery rate is symptomatic of the fact that we just don't have the right levels of infrastructure in Ireland."
The figures come just a week after it was revealed that the national recycling scheme is under threat because Government targets on waste here have not actually changed in 10 years.
Irish Independent
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