Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests for coming before us. Since 2000 there has been quite a dramatic change in people's behaviour in the context of waste management. Some of this has to do with the introduction of green bins, composting, etc. It is clear that there has been a change since the notion of the incinerator was first mooted. The first contract that was drawn up contained a guarantee in respect of the disposal of 600,000 tonnes per annum. Does the new contract contain a similar number and, if so, what is it? The first contract contained an obligation to pay if the amount of waste disposed of did not reach 600,000. This is quite an important matter. A new waste target was adopted by the EU in July in order to boost reuse and recycling levels in respect of municipal waste to a maximum of 70% by 2030. The new Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Kelly, commented on this in September when he addressed the Environment Ireland conference and indicated that he endorsed the drive towards zero waste. This would imply that Ireland will be moving towards achieving the 70% target by 2030. Does the new contract sidestep the change that has been brought about in terms of recycling behaviour? It appears to assume a rate of 50%, which would ensure that the disposal rate would remain above 600,000 tonnes. I do not know what is the exact figure but I am sure our guests will supply it. If the disposal rate moved towards 70%, then the other rate would be approximately 184,000 tonnes. The latter would be substantially different from 600,000 tonnes. Have our guests factored this in to their proposal?

Have they also factored in the position regarding the new mechanical and biological treatment plant proposed for my constituency? I do not believe people are ever happy to see such plants being built, regardless of where they are located. However, it is proposed that the facility will dispose of approximately 100,000 tonnes of waste per year. It appears that as waste is going to be transported into Dublin for disposal, other waste will be transported out of it to facilities invarious counties. This was the case with the Kill landfill facility, the waste deposited in which predominately originated in Dublin. Will what I have outlined have an impact upon the financial viability of the project we are discussing?

Mr. Keegan was county manager of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council at one point. Was he party to the combined approach adopted when the first proposal was put forward? It seems that the approach could be abandoned or that it could be proceeded with. Obviously, a great deal of consideration had to be given to this matter in view of the fact that a sizeable amount of money has already been spent. Some of the money involved would have been spent on consultants and it may be that a portion of the information provided by the latter remains valid but that much of it is no longer up to date and not capable of being used. Will Mr. Keegan comment on that matter? If our guests were to start with a clean sheet and if they were not obliged to consider whether to proceed with or abandon the project, would they propose this particular initiative? If so, why are they of the view that it is the best solution available in the context of dealing with waste?

People are composting material and the amount of packaging, etc., relating to products is being reduced. We are, therefore, moving into different territory. If the 70% target to which I refer is attained, how much waste will be disposed of at the new facility?

A large amount of money was given to RPS, the main consultancy firm. I accept that a different consultancy is currently being used. Is the €2.13 million the entire amount of money that will be spent on consultants or will further expenditure be required? It was originally envisaged that the total cost relating to RPS would be €8.1 million. However, the final figure exceeded this amount by some way. Is a cap in place with regard to the amount of money to be spent on consultants?