James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the incinerator in Poolbeg; if he has received a response to his letter to the Dublin city manager; the action he will take to block the incinerator if he considers it anti-competitive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35984/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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As previously advised, the proposed facility in question received planning approval from An Bord Pleanála in November 2007 and was granted a waste licence by the Environmental Protection Agency in December 2008. It is the subject of continuing correspondence with the Dublin City Council. 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 and accordingly the capital costs of this project will not fall to be met by the Exchequer. Enforcement of competition law is in the first instance a matter for the Competition Authority.

The Attorney General sought and received, on my behalf, the contract for the Poolbeg incinerator from Dublin City Council earlier this year. I can confirm that an economist was hired to carry out an analysis of the contract for the purposes of informing pending legal advice by the Attorney General. The Attorney General has recommended that a further analysis be carried out by a financial expert before any definitive advice can be furnished.