John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I have given the preliminary figures on this to the Deputy and have made them known outside the House. These preliminary figures are based on waste of 3.2 million tonnes arising nationally. This can be reduced by 1.7 million tonnes through a recycling rate of 50%. I am confident we can reach such a recycling rate, if not beyond that, particularly in Dublin. Some 800,000 tonnes of this can be landfilled without exceeding our landfill directive targets. I believe the remainder can be further reduced by MBT. By 2016, it could stand at 400,000 tonnes.

I am confident these figures stand up. However, when making any judgments we must get it scientifically and economically right. That is why this review is of such importance.

I agree many of these planning applications have gone in but many pre-date my entry into Government. The Fine Gael Party, perhaps — I say "perhaps" because it is difficult to decide when reading its manifesto — has changed its position on incineration. Its track record——

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