Dáil debates

Thursday, 21 July 2011

Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Instruction to Committee

 

2:00 pm

Photo of Brian StanleyBrian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)

I want to clarify a few points with the Minister so we will be clear on what is happening. Given the proposed changes in respect of placenames, will it be the case, based on the Minister's legal advice, that a town that wants to change its name, be to Dingle, Daingean or Daingean Uí Chúis, for example, can do so without recourse to the Minister?

I understand from the amendments that have been made that all moneys collected through road tax will now be used for local, county, regional and national routes and public transport infrastructure. Is this the case?

On an earlier Stage, I referred to the packaging and labelling of fuel for sale. I do not see any amendment in this regard. Has anything been done thus far to exempt firewood and peat?

I have an amendment on incineration that I understand I will have an opportunity to discuss on Report Stage. I will not reiterate everything said by the previous Deputy; suffice it to say we are very concerned about the Poolbeg incinerator, particularly the terms of the contract. From speaking to members of Dublin City Council - Deputy Kevin Humphreys is a former Dublin city councillor - I have learned that none has seen a copy of the contract. Previous speakers stated nobody wants the incinerator only Dublin City Council but I regard the council as its 52 members. That they have not been party to the decision is very unfortunate.

The major concern is that, as the volume of waste is reduced over time, as I hope will be the case, there will not be enough waste to fill the hungry beast that is the incinerator. The recession has already resulted in a reduction. Given that we do not know the terms of the contract, will the taxpayer be held liable for any shortfall or loss to the private company running the incinerator? Will the Minister address these questions?

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