Opposition parties called for a review of guidelines for the disposal of clinical waste yesterday after the third discovery in recent weeks of illegal dumping of suspected hospital waste.
Green Party leader, Mr Trevor Sargent also demanded an immediate public inquiry into what he called "the gross mis-management of Ireland's hospital waste". He criticised the 1998 decision to award one firm a 10-year contract for the management of clinical waste from all publicly-funded hospitals and healthcare institutions north and south.
"This Government has created a centralised system of hospital waste management which lacks traceability and which fudges responsibility. These appalling illegal dumps are a consequence of this failed policy," he claimed.
The Minister of State for Health, Ms Mary Hanafin, told the Dβil there was no suggestion the company contracted to dispose of public hospital clinical waste, was implicated in the current incidents. She said relevant authorities "will rigorously identify and pursue those responsible".