Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I am disappointed he did not take the opportunity to enunciate such a change. As the Minister with direct Executive responsibility for incineration, a number of options remain open to him. He can make a public statement outlining a change of policy, issue a directive to that effect or inform the planning authorities, including An Bord Pleanála, that he is changing policy. If he wishes to protect his propriety, he can take any of these steps without mentioning Poolbeg. By changing Government policy on incineration, he can stop the incinerator being planned for Poolbeg. If he fails to change policy, however, he will be as responsible for the Poolbeg incinerator as if he had personally signed the order.

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