Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will take further steps on foot of the North South study into the feasibility of an Irish paper mill in view of the finding that such a project could help ensure that markets are available for recycling paper and cardboard collected from households and businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3916/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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A study led by the North/South Market Development Steering Group to determine the feasibility of establishing a paper mill on the island of Ireland was initiated in 2004 and the Phase 1 Study Report was published in August 2006. The feasibility study is the first of two phases and the project was funded jointly by the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland through Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and my Department. The project was managed by WRAP.

Provisional findings from the first stage of an interim phase — taking soundings from individual businesses in the sector — indicate that the paper manufacturing/converting and waste management sectors show favourable interest in exploring the establishment of a tissue mill on the island. Consequently a more formal sectoral group meeting was convened in March 2008 to test this level of interest amongst the key industrial players. Valuable feedback was gained at this meeting.

While the North/South Market Development Steering Group will keep the project under review, industry itself will be the major party in deciding as to whether the paper mill project is taken forward. Stakeholders have been advised that both jurisdictions along with WRAP will continue to assist.