Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the concerns the Deputy has raised. The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, is a professional agency set up by the Oireachtas. I know the Deputy is casting doubt on its governance and its bias. However, it is an independent agency and has a strong reputation and strong powers. It licenses and controls emissions levels. To be fair to the Minister, Deputy Denis Naughten, he does not have authority in the planning decision in this case and nor does he control the EPA. It would be regarded as wrong if he were to be the Minister controlling the EPA. It has an independence because it has a statutory remit to protect people, to ensure operations of this nature are run according to the licences with which they are issued and that those licences are drafted in such a way as to protect the public interest. I have no doubt that the EPA, as well as the local authority, will be sensitive to the concerns and determined to ensure the protection of people in any decisions it takes. The Minister has no power in monitoring or enforcing those responsibilities which the Oireachtas gave to the EPA to execute. It has a good track record in that respect.

I will convey to the Minister the Deputy's concerns. I understand them as similar concerns were expressed in Dublin with the establishment of a similar plant in Ringsend. We have professional organisations both assessing licences and monitoring them. Those bodies have the primary responsibility and will be alert to the concerns the Deputy and the people of Mungret are expressing to ensure they execute their responsibilities properly.

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