Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand the Senator's concerns, particularly with the level of public funding that has gone into providing the infrastructure. I must also reiterate my obligation. The statutory responsibilities lie with local authorities, Cork County Council in this case. It is a statutory function of the local authority and the Government and the Department are precluded from interfering or exercising any power over the local authority in a case such as this. The Government must take account of the national waste framework directive where we propose sustainable waste management policy based on the hierarchy of reduce, reuse and recycle. If he wishes, the Senator can ask the relevant local authority to outline the plans it has for the infrastructure or make a submission to the Department. I cannot make any promises or commitments in that regard.