Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

Yes. I have initiated a process of public consultation on the future economic regulation of the waste management sector. That process has attracted over 50 submissions, including a submission from the industry body that was mentioned in one of the questions. The wide-ranging remit of the process of public consultation has been approved by the Government. The process will have regard to policy on the direction of waste to particular facilities, for example. I intend to finalise further policy proposals after I have considered the views of the various stakeholders.

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government concluded its national overview of waste management plans in July 2004. The overview identified that good progress was being made in the implementation of the regional plans. The plans have subsequently been reviewed by the local authorities on the basis of significant public consultation. I am satisfied that the regional waste management plans properly reflect the needs of individual regions and the range of available technologies. If Deputies want to ask supplementary questions about the tonnage capacity in various areas, on foot of the problems which arose in that regard in the Dublin area, I will be happy to take them.

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