Cyprian Brady (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I congratulate the Leas-Cheann Comhairle on his elevation and wish him all the best for the future.

As a new Deputy serving the people of this great capital, I want to ensure that any developments improve their quality of life and do not impinge on their health and welfare. We in Ireland have a serious problem in terms of managing our waste. It is not acceptable for us to stick our rubbish in a landfill or hole outside the city, nor is it practical to put the waste on a boat and pay someone in another country to look after it. As public representatives, we cannot brush this burning problem under the carpet of objections and political point-scoring.

In the past ten to 12 years, Dublin City Council has researched a number of solutions to managing our waste. I have seen at first hand the successes the council has had in this area and, as part of its deliberations, it proposed the construction of an incinerator at Poolbeg. Following an exhaustive process, which allowed everybody to have their say — the supporters and the objectors, the experts and the operators — planning permission was approved and the plans are now being considered by An Bord Pleanála. We should accept, however, and indeed take pride in, the independence of our planning system, and particularly of the Environmental Protection Agency. As the Minister explained to the House yesterday, he must also respect that independence. I do not believe Members on any side of the House can question the green credentials of the Minister, Deputy Gormley, in this matter.

If such a project was planned 30 years ago, I would have had a problem with it. The image of an incinerator billowing black smoke into the sky comes from that time. Thankfully, that day is gone and that cannot and will not be allowed in this country again. Technology has improved much since then and incineration is far more sophisticated.

As a member of the last Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government, I visited a number of sites throughout Europe. One which particularly stuck in my mind was a site in Switzerland, a very environmentally conscious country. The incinerator was in a highly residential area but it resulted in no more than hot water and heating for the local community. The technology has advanced much and is available to us.

Irish citizens are also more sophisticated in terms of managing waste. Householders are taking on the responsibility of reducing and recycling. The figures speak for themselves. We now have approximately 35% recycling nationally compared to 9% less than ten years ago. The legislation in Ireland is also more sophisticated. This House has been responsible for bringing about change in waste management and there has been a major increase in the volume of environmental legislation in recent years.

The introduction of modern incineration can make a positive contribution to addressing this challenge. However, if and when an incinerator is built, I demand that the latest and safest technology is used to ensure there are no emissions and that any issues which arise are dealt with. I also insist that the latest technology is used to monitor the plant's operations and, similar to other incinerator plants around the country, the residents and local community have access to this monitoring.

I also want to see continued investment in encouraging industry and households to switch to reducing and recycling more of their waste. If it is more convenient to reduce and recycle waste, people will do it, as we have proven. The Government will continue to roll out the programme of recycling centres and facilities and has already invested over €100 million in the past five years in doing so. In our constituencies, we have all seen people queuing to use bottle banks and bring centres. One centre on the North Strand in my constituency is hugely successful, with the only problem being that a traffic jam is caused by people trying to access it. We have made huge strides in this regard.

In an ideal world we should not need an incinerator but we do not live in an ideal world. It is incumbent on all in this House to work towards finding a solution to the problem, a solution that ensures the safety of our citizens and, ultimately, one that balances the need to manage our immediate waste problems with the continued investment in changing the attitudes and habits of the citizens who live and work here so that we reduce the need for incineration in the long term.

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