Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I will bring the matter Senator Mooney has raised to the attention of my Department but I do not have a response at this stage.

Senators raised the increase in the landfill levy. The indication for the next three years will bring certainty to the market and eliminate the confusion that has existed for some time. It is appropriate to do so given the low level of gate fees at present. Landfill is the cheapest form of waste management but the least desirable. When Senators tell me they do not want one form of waste management, they are not giving me any other options so I must look at the transposition of the EU directive and the waste hierarchy in the context of future policy and whether we will have fines being imposed on us by the European Commission.

I have said we will divert as much waste as possible away from landfill but we must divert it somewhere else. We have not made as much progress as we would like in other forms of waste management but between now and the end of the year, I will bring forward a consultation process on waste policy where we will outline other policy propositions that will help us to reduce and recycle more material before it must go anywhere else.

Senator Ó Domhnaill raised the plastic bag levy. This measure contributes enormously to the reduction of litter and, notwithstanding the remarks of Senators from the Border areas, I have been in contact with the Minister for the Environment in the North, Alex Attwood, and he is anxious to progress the issue in Assembly so the playing pitch is level in Border counties. We will be glad to give any assistance we can in the matter.

Senator Ó Domhnaill also mentioned the special protection areas. The current Bill amends the definition of a candidate special protection area that was in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010. It referred to the habitats directive when it should have been the birds directive. It is a tidying up measure.

Senators also mentioned the provisions in section 10 relating to solid fuel. People were concerned that we were going to include turf, peat and wood, but they are exempt under this regulation. Therefore regulation 31 of Statutory Instrument 118 of 1998 is the reference for the exemption of turf. The regulations are primarily aimed at prohibiting the sale of bituminous coal, not other materials. Bags now have to be sealed in a particular prescribed way.

Senator Wilson asked about definitions concerning a new Part 4. That has been inserted in the Bill to provide essential technical amendments. Section 15 inserts a technical amendment which defines the Act of 2000 as meaning the Planning and Development Act 2000. The Act of 2006 means the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act of 2006. The Act of 2010 means the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act of 2010. They are the references to that.

Senator Coghlan raised the issue of Dingle-Daingean Uí Chúis. I am glad to take the earliest legislative opportunity to deal with that matter.