John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

That was incorrect. I received advice not only from the Attorney General, but also from an eminent senior counsel from outside the House, and both confirmed it was not possible. The question of whether it is possible in respect of other regional waste plans can be considered but a number of other options must also be investigated, such as financial arrangements for funding incineration. It is not simply a question of discouraging incineration because we must also consider how we can encourage other technologies, such as mechanical biological treatment, and incentivise waste minimisation. Progress is being made in regard to the latter in that I have received a positive response from the main players in Repak. I put down a challenge to them to reduce their waste and, under the Cortauld agreement, they have agreed to co-operate. Deputy Hogan and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle were present when I put down the challenge at the Repak dinner. This is good news from everyone's perspective.

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