Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the discussions he has had with the Dublin City Manager and the operators of the Poolbeg waste energy facility to discuss the Poolbeg facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9557/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I have made no secret of my concerns regarding the potential implications of the large scale Poolbeg waste facility for a progressive approach to waste management, based on evolving policy and legislation in the areas of resource management and environmental protection. In particular, I remain concerned that the Dublin local authorities may not be able to meet the volumetric contractual commitment which forms part of the public private partnership agreement between Dublin City Council and its private partner. We have recently seen further increases in recycling rates in Dublin, with a corresponding drop in residual waste volumes.

I have conveyed these concerns directly to, and in correspondence with, the Dublin City Manager. In recent days, I have also written to the President of Covanta Europe, the operators of the facility, to clarify a number of issues, to draw attention to the Government statement on waste issued on 9 February 2010 and to advise of my intention to appoint an authorised person under section 224(2)(a) of the Local Government Act 2001, to examine various financial matters arising in relation to the project. I have since appointed Mr. John Hennessy SC for this purpose.

It remains open to Dublin City Council or the operators of the project to engage with me and my Department to discuss any adjustment to the project which might be necessary to bring it into line with the emerging reality of the waste market and waste policy generally.

Last November, I published the report of consultants engaged to carry out a study to underpin a review of waste management policy. I am utilising the report's recommendations, with a key focus on waste prevention, reuse and recycling, in developing a new policy statement on waste management, which I will bring to Government, and publish for public consultation shortly. This will provide certainty for those in the waste management sector by implementing a resource management approach to waste which will have inevitable consequences for the scale and location of residual waste infrastructure. It will also provide a framework within which necessary legislative changes can be brought forward.