Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I accept that. I also accept Ms Tallon's position and I will not raise further points on the audit report. However, the project's deadline has been extended time and again because the private partner cannot find the financing and due to problems on our end such as foreshore licences. When Ms Tallon attended the committee previously, she told us we would have the report from the local audit unit after the summer. August was the deadline for the final extension of the contract, but it has been extended yet again into the first quarter of next year. Ms Tallon has told us that the Department is considering the matter, that she is concerned, that the Department has an interest but no responsibility and that she will revert to us with more details in the first quarter of next year.

I am concerned that the project is running away from us like a freight train towards a cliff. People are trying to stop it, but it seems to be out of control. As the Committee of Public Accounts, we need to have a proper handle on the matter. As stated at this and the previous meetings, the project is a significant one. It is not just another project undertaken by a local authority. For this reason, we need to be fully apprised of all of the details as they become known. Of course councillors have responsibility, but we do as well, given the fact that Exchequer funding - taxpayer's money - has been committed, including in the form of centrally provided funds to local authorities. Further funding will be committed in the form of the new charges to be levied on taxpayers.

Ms Tallon mentioned that she met the city manager on Tuesday. He has given his response on pages 21 and 22 of the audit report to the issues raised. To be fair to the Dublin City Council manager, he is not present to answer, but I wish to note a number of issues. I do not expect the Secretary General to answer for him. He stated: "The Waste to Energy Project has proved extremely challenging indeed more challenging than other controversial projects that the Environment and Engineering Department has been involved in such as the Regional Waste Water Treatment Plant." This refers to the Ringsend wastewater treatment plant, which has gone over time and over budget by more than €40 million and has been a significant imposition on constituents.

We are told in black and white that the projects are being run by the same section of Dublin City Council. They are significant for the Dublin region. As we know from the private partners, the incinerator is not just for Dublin but for the country as a whole. Both projects are experiencing significant problems. Ms Tallon, as the Secretary General of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, has an interest in them. If we do not comply with certain EU directives or guidelines, we will face considerable fines. This is an issue for Ms Tallon and the Minister. What does Ms Tallon make of the fact that the same section in the council is experiencing considerable problems with two significant projects? At what point will she and the Minister decide to step in and assume responsibility because the council is not handling the projects properly?