Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 44: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of the Poolbeg incinerator; the role his Department has had in the project; and if his Department plans on playing a part in the process to prevent it from going ahead. [8075/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The facility in question is provided for in the Dublin regional waste management plan for which the four Dublin local authorities have statutory responsibility under the Waste Management Acts. Section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act, 1996 specifically precludes the Minister, and therefore the Department, from any involvement in anything for which a local authority or the EPA has statutory responsibility. This includes the waste licensing system for which the EPA is responsible. The facility is the subject of a waste licence application and a final decision by the EPA is awaited. It has already been granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanála, a process from which the Minister is also precluded under planning legislation. In view of its status as a prospective public private partnership, my Department was involved in certifying that the procurement was conducted in accordance with public policy on the procurement of infrastructure in this way. My Department also grant-aided the costs of the consultants retained by the local authorities to advise them in the procurement process for this and other projects provided for in the Dublin Regional Waste Management Plan. The Department by letter dated 14 September 2005 advised Dublin City Council, which acts as lead authority for the project, that having considered the submissions received in respect of the procurement process there was no objection to Dublin City Council proceeding to enter into contractual arrangements with the selected private partner. The Department has no further role in the matter.