Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

As regards matters about which Deputy Sargent feels passionate, his colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, with the able assistance of the then aspiring TD, Deputy Chris Andrews, promised his neighbours and constituents he would make the difference. He hounded a Cabinet Minister and promised to stop the Poolbeg incinerator. He now has his chance to do so. Will he override the policy instructions on incineration issued to An Bord Pleanála? Will he examine the economics, statistics and volumes in the contract for the public private partnership? Will he discard the cover provided by Matt Twomey of Dublin City Council and others regarding commercial sensitivity by publishing details of the contract? Let us see how we will be ripped off under the PPP, as has been the case in some of the motorway contracts where a multiple of the real cost will be paid in interest above and beyond the Euribor rate. I will leave the debate on the reason this is not necessary for another day.

As a Government Minister, Deputy Gormley can no longer hide. He must examine the steps he can take rather than give legal reasons for failing to take them.

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