John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I thank Deputy Andrews for raising this issue.

As the Deputy is aware, waste management infrastructure projects are advanced by private sector service providers or by local authorities, generally by way of a public private partnership. It is a matter for the promoters of such projects to seek and obtain the necessary regulatory approvals - that is, planning permission and a waste licence. In carrying out their functions, the planning authorities, including An Bord Pleanála and the EPA, which deals with waste licensing, act independently of the Minister. The approved capacity of individual facilities is a matter for determination through these processes, as provided for in the Planning and Development and Waste Management Acts.

Since taking office I have continually stressed the twin environmental priorities of dealing with climate change issues and ensuring we take the necessary steps in managing our waste. We must explore the full range of technical solutions as well as modifying our behaviour in support of sustainable waste management. Undue emphasis on incineration as the cornerstone of waste management policy is detrimental to the development of alternative solutions. While incineration may well have a role in our future waste management strategy, I do not believe it will be on anything like the scale that was previously envisaged.

As a first step in my approach to modernising and reorienting the waste management sector, I arranged for an international consortium of consultants to undertake a comprehensive study on the waste sector, covering a wide range of issues which will help identify how best to proceed with further efforts to reduce waste levels, improve recycling rates and deliver equitable and cost-effective waste management solutions. Earlier today I published the consultants' report. This will be the launching pad for putting in place the policies that we now need to mark a new departure in our approach to waste management. I will bring proposals to Government which will ensure the proper ordering of the waste collection and wider waste management market. This in turn will provide the context in which many of the other recommendations contained in the report can be addressed. I wish to provide certainty for those in the waste management sector and a framework within which the necessary legislative changes can be brought forward.

With regard to the capacity of the proposed incinerator, it is my understanding that the quantities of residual waste currently being collected by the Dublin local authorities would not be sufficient to meet the put-or-pay requirement referred to by the Deputy. We have recently seen further increases in recycling rates in Dublin, with a corresponding drop in residual waste volumes. It is important to note that the recommendations of the report published today, which I intend to implement, will have the effect of further reducing the volumes of residual waste generated and driving more waste towards recycling. I am therefore concerned that the proposed incinerator will prove to be seriously oversized, and indeed that a liability for the ratepayer and taxpayer may ultimately arise. In these circumstances I have decided that the most appropriate course of action is to appoint an authorized person under section 224 of the Local Government Acts to conduct a full review of this project. It remains open to Dublin City Council to engage with my Department to discuss how the project might be brought into line with the emerging reality of the waste market and waste policy generally.

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