Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is perfect. My understanding of the EPA's involvement or knowledge is exactly as Ms Burke said, that it hold a registers that indicates that this permit has been issued. Therefore, if it was destroyed, removed or disappeared, it would still be lodged in her offices. The Ballybeg issue concerns me, but the broader point is that these are serious issues and allegations and everybody involved deserves clarity. At the level of a county council passing a motion, if somebody suggests something untoward happened or something deserves consideration about issues on which the country is paying a heavy price as a result of a failure to address them properly in the past - dumping, waste permits, etc - that there could be such a time lag is of concern. I am interested in knowing whether structures are in place or could be put in place in the Department in order that if it receives a request under the Local Government Act asking it to initiate a public inquiry, it would respond, positively or negatively, within a set period. If the response is no, it is up to people to consider how to proceed after that.