Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 9: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Heritage and Local Government the extent he has commented on or indicated a particular preference in respect of waste management policy or strategy; if policy is set down by him, other Government bodies or agencies or the Environmental Protection Agency; if he or any such body has expressed a preference for one or other method of waste management or disposal in respect of any particular location; if so, if this is or was in accord with his policy at local or regional level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44444/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I have always made clear that I want to see a sustainable, resource based approach to waste management. This involves a shift in focus from residual waste management options, such as landfill and incineration, to technologies such as mechanical biological treatment which can maximise the value to be extracted from what should be viewed as a resource rather than as a waste.

On 15 July 2010, I published a draft statement of waste policy for public consultation which set out the various elements being considered as part of the development of a new national waste management policy for the coming decade and beyond. In particular, the draft statement emphasised the importance of waste policy being informed by domestic policy goals, EU and wider international policy and practice, and EU legislation and commitments, particularly the revised waste framework directive and the associated waste hierarchy set out in Article 4 of the directive. The draft statement contained a range of proposals, including, in relation to waste management, planning at national and regional levels. The consultation period closed on 1 October last and I am working to conclude a final waste policy statement, having given my fullest consideration to all the submissions received.

I intend to bring the final policy statement to Government for decision shortly. Following the Government's decision, I will publish the final policy which will provide certainty for those in the waste management sector and a framework within which the necessary legislative changes can be brought forward.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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When does the Minister expect clarity to be provided on the proposed incinerator for the Poolbeg Peninsula?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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As I have stated on a number of occasions, the Government does not determine matters of this nature, which in this case is one for a private consortium and the local authority. When one considers residual waste arisings and the decline in biological waste, which is the most important consideration from a landfill directive perspective, an incinerator with a capacity of 600,000 tonnes is much too large. We must move towards mechanical biological treatment and ensure, when we embark on a strategy, that we have available to us sufficient waste for a facility of this type. We must avoid creating a white elephant which will cost the taxpayer a large amount of money.

In the case of the incinerator proposed for the Poolbeg Peninsula, the contract which was signed against my advice commits Dublin City Council to providing 320,000 tonnes of waste per annum. Penalty clauses will apply if this level of waste is not provided and the local authority would have to pick up the tab. By bringing to Government the waste levies and a new policy statement, as I will do shortly, we will provide greater clarity on the proposed Poolbeg incinerator.

I have read media reports, which the Deputy has probably also read, to the effect that the company in question has indicated that if I introduce levies and publish a policy document, it will not proceed with the incinerator proposal. I am committed to proceeding with a new waste policy. A large multinational company should not dictate national waste policy, which is a matter for the sovereign Government.