Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)

I am reminded of the old saying, "Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive". We have arrived at the current situation in regard to waste management as a result of decisions made by the previous Government and by members of the Minister's party in local authorities throughout the State. It was inevitable that we would end up with a situation where 14 different private companies are plying for business in the same area, or even the same street, a situation which is not in line with environmental policy regarding carbon taxes and so on.

In regard to the Poolbeg incinerator, does the Minister expect private companies to facilitate local authorities in administering the disposal of the waste at that facility or does he agree it is more likely they will take them to court again?

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