Dan Boyle (Green Party)

I support the approach advocated by Senator Alex White on whether the children's rights issue should be dealt with by legislation or through a constitutional approach. The Oireachtas has established this committee which is due to report and all options are being considered. Nevertheless the views of the DPP form an important part of that process.

No. 1 is a motion on the Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2008, which have been discussed in depth at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It largely relates to new procedures that allow small measures such as solar panels and wind turbines to be erected on domestic dwellings without going through the full planning process, which most people will welcome as a speeding-up mechanism in ensuring more renewable technologies are used.

Regarding the query on the Government position on waste management, the Minister has indicated that a review of international best practice will be completed by this month. That will be made public and will inform the debate. The programme for Government indicates that incineration is not a preferred waste option but mechanical and biological treatment are. The situation regarding the incinerator in Meath has gone through all existing processes but is being promoted by a company that says it wants an economic advantage over landfill for its operations. However the programme for Government is clear that such an economic advantage will not be offered, so that raised questions.

I had severe qualms about the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill when it was introduced in both Houses of the Oireachtas during the last Government but I have had experience of one of the first uses of it regarding an application by the Port of Cork company to relocate elsewhere in Cork Harbour. Having seen that turned down and public concerns addressed by An Bord Pleanála's refusal, I am more at ease with the use of that legislation and how it is being applied. Nevertheless, we must monitor the situation and any attempt to foist unnecessary incineration due to the capacity that such operations would require to run will be strongly opposed by Government policy.