Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy asked a fair question, namely what Deputy Gormley has done, as Minister, to move the Government to a particular position. I am just answering that question. Section 60 of the Waste Management Act provides that local authorities should not enter into commitments in the context of public private partnerships to guarantee a specific volume of waste to the plant operator, other than in respect of recycling or composting facilities. As a further step, in meeting the programme for Government commitments, the Minister has directed his Department to commission a major review of waste management planning as provided for in that programme.

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