The Forfas report, entitled Waste Management Benchmarking Analysis and Policy Priorities, says that the country still suffers from high waste costs and a limited infrastructure in comparison to other countries.

New policies and regulations are recommended in the report, together with coordination at regional and national level to ensure competitive prices for waste services.

Forfas says planned increases to the landfill levy for June 2008 should not be introduced until alternative facilities are opened.

Martin Cronin, chief executive of Forfas, said that action is needed to respond to waste issues.

“To improve Ireland’s waste management performance and deliver cost competitive, environmentally friendly waste management services to business, we must address as a matter of priority the barriers to infrastructure rollout and the high level of uncertainty that persists about the future direction of waste policy,” he explained.

Forfas advises the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with information relating to enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation.

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