Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to raise this issue that is important at a national level and at a local level to the people of Rathcoole. I am delighted to raise the Government's waste management policy, its policy on incineration, the role it sees for incineration in waste management in Ireland and the number and capacity of incinerators the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government considers are required in Ireland. This is especially important in view of the fact that the Meath incinerator is going ahead. There is also a proposal for an incinerator in Rathcoole.

On 6 May I attended a meeting hosted by the Rathcoole community council at which grave concern was expressed at plans to locate this incinerator and the impact it would have in Rathcoole, Clondalkin, Newcastle, Saggart and Lucan. Many legitimate questions must be answered by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Why did he meet with developers of this private incinerator in July 2007? Why did his colleague, the other Green Party Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, meet with the developers? Why was the Department of Defence consulted by the proposers? When it was consulted it stated it had no objection to the incinerator. What is going on with these Departments? Why were three Departments willing to meet with the proposers of a private incinerator if this is not Government policy?

Since the Minister came into office we have had a cloud of confusion over Government waste management policy and what role, if any, the Government sees for incineration in this policy. Initially, the Minister stated no more than two incinerators would be required. The then Taoiseach stated we would need four. What is the actual number? What capacity does the Government seek from incineration? Has the Minister, Deputy Gormley, changed his views? He was a strong opponent. He sought a mandate from his constituents on his opposition to an incinerator. Now, he is happy to meet with the developers of a proposed private incinerator.

The question of what is considered essential infrastructure must be answered by the Government. Legislation on strategic infrastructure was introduced, under which certain applications have planning exemptions. If waste incineration is not a priority for the Government why did this go directly to An Bord Pleanála, by-passing the local authority and why was it fast-tracked in a matter of weeks? This raises legitimate questions on the Government's policy in this area. The constituents and communities in Rathcoole, Newcastle and Saggart, who will be heavily impacted by the proposed incinerator if it goes ahead, deserve to know the answers.

If the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is meant to have a hands-off approach to essential infrastructure and the planning process, why did he meet developers at the same time the project was given exempted status as strategic infrastructure? A conflict of interest exists. I hope the Minister of State, in the absence of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, will be able to answer some of the questions I raised.

It is time for the Minister to remove the confusion and state clearly and categorically his position on incineration and whether the Government supports the location of incinerators in Rathcoole, Meath, Poolbeg and throughout the country. If the Government does not support this, what is its policy and what will it do to stop it? I thank the Cathaoirleach for providing me with the opportunity to raise this important matter.