James Bannon (Fine Gael)

This Bill provides for the transfer of many of the Minister's powers to An Bord Pleanála. Senator Kitt referred to discussions on incineration and landfills but we are entitled to debate such issues because the Senator knows as well as I the controversies which arise from them. Concern exists among the public about the health implications of major waste management projects such as incinerators but these concerns have never been clearly addressed. In the past, I have called for the establishment of scientific review committees to deal with those issues and to allay people's fears, yet the Government has not responded. I am pressing this amendment because it is important to the health and safety of our citizens and communities.