Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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I agree with your proposal, Chairman. I was not present when Mr. Cantwell made his original remarks and brought to our attention his concerns about the unauthorised dumping of thousands of tonnes of waste and the manner in which various contracts were made. However, I have met and spoken to Mr. Cantwell and the issues he raises are very substantial. We read in the letter he sent to the committee that at least 56,000 tonnes, plus 60,000 tonnes and 28,000 tonnes of waste, which is a total of 144,000 tonnes, from phase two of the R158 contract is unaccounted for, and that the possible total may well be approximately 300,000 tonnes. The amount of unauthorised and illegal dumping that has taken place has been one of the banes of the country over the last number of years. To think that even at this point in time we do not know where that unaccounted waste went means there are serious questions to be answered by Meath County Council and by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. I agree that the matter should be pursued and that we do it in the fashion the Chairman has outlined.