Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 561: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the National Development Finance Agency has entered or considered or is considering entering a financial arrangement relating to the Poolbeg Incinerator project, Dublin 4; if the NDFA has advised him whether some type of State or Exchequer support, direct or indirect, is necessary or expected to become necessary if the Poolbeg project is to be successfully financed; if, in view of same, he is acting as the ultimate guarantor of payment on behalf of Dublin City Council with respect to its contract to build the Poolbeg Incinerator; if he has considered or will consider acting in any circumstances for the financing or part-financing of the project if Dublin City Council was unable to fulfil its contractual obligations with respect to this incinerator; the applicable circumstances in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15468/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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As previously advised, 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 precludes me, as Minister, from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance in particular circumstances by a local authority of a function conferred on it under the Act.

The National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) had representation on the project board established to manage the procurement process in view of the project's status as a prospective public private partnership and to certify that the procurement was conducted in accordance with public policy on the procurement of infrastructure in this way. The project board concluded its task, did not have a role in regard to the contractual arrangements subsequently entered into by Dublin City Council and did not enter any financial arrangement relating to the Poolbeg project. The NDFA has not at any time advised the project board or my Department that State or Exchequer support, direct or indirect, is necessary or expected to become necessary if the project is to be successfully financed.

In line with national policy, the Exchequer does not fund new heavy waste infrastructure, landfills or waste to energy (incineration) plants. These are to be provided as purely private sector commercial initiatives or by way of public private partnerships with local authorities. Accordingly, the cost of this project will not fall to be met by the Exchequer. In consequence, my Department has not provided any guarantee to Dublin City Council in respect of this project and there is no intention to do so.