Dan Boyle (Green Party)

In light of today's decision, another commitment in the programme for Government should be instigated instantly, namely, a review of the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, and the legislation that will follow that review. Senators have recently discussed an ongoing process of derogating political responsibility to stand-alone bodies that has diminished political decision making and democratic accountability. Today's decision to grant a draft waste licence, which will go to a public consultation process in which the EPA will decide whether it was right to grant the licence in the first instance, is another example of this perversion of democratic principles and the need for the political process to reclaim responsibility in this area. The House should be united in ensuring this review, as proposed in the programme for Government, happens.

This is an instance of bullying by institution. Independent bodies are making decisions for political reasons because powers have been derogated in legislation. As participants in the political process we cannot stand over that behaviour as exemplified by An Bord Pleanála's decisions this week. The inspector's report acknowledges that the policy on waste management incineration is changing but because this has not been put in writing neither the planning inspector nor An Bord Pleanála will recognise it. I suspect that the EPA's move today was based on a similar decision. Policy formation in this area is changing but an attempt is being made to reach decisions in advance of that change. We all should be concerned about such a process.