Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 545: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of incinerators which have been improved to date here; the tonnage capacity of these facilities; his views of the total tonnage capacity necessary from incineration in view of his stated policy in relation to waste management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39994/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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At present there are no municipal waste incinerators in Ireland and my Department has no function in determining the number, type, location or capacity of any such facilities that may be constructed. Such projects would be advanced by private sector service providers or by local authorities, generally by way of a public private partnership. It is a matter for the promoters of such projects to seek and obtain the necessary regulatory approvals i.e. planning permission and a waste licence. In carrying out their functions planning authorities, including An Bord Pleanála, and the EPA, in regard to waste licensing, act independently of the Minister. The approved capacity of individual facilities is a matter for determination through these processes, as provided for in the Planning and Development and Waste Management Acts. My view generally is that undue emphasis on incineration as the cornerstone of waste management policy is detrimental to the development of alternative solutions. The current review of waste policy may well indicate a continuing role for incineration in our future waste management strategy but I do not envisage it being on anything like the scale that was previously envisaged.