Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

Operators will be obliged to notify the agency annually of the charges and cost of running a landfill for the previous 12 months. In the majority of cases, the local authority will operate the landfill. How will this be scrutinised? The Minister is transferring powers for waste management to county managers, who can provide whatever figures they like on the operation of a landfill. They can make the costs of using a landfill so unattractive that people will turn to incineration. Who will be accountable?

I have major concerns about the proposals. A landfill operator could also be an incinerator operator. In such circumstances, he would have a vested interest in increasing landfill charges to a level which compels waste collection agencies to use incineration.

Operators must account for the amount of waste arriving at a landfill on a weekly, monthly or annual basis. A charge, including a Government levy, must also be imposed. In many cases the county manager will increase the cost per tonne of using landfill. The proposals will give rise to considerable controversy. I am concerned that it could result in a significant amount of waste being diverted to incineration.