Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 207: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to minimise the impact of the economic situation on the public with particular reference to extra costs on the public arising from his policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44628/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 208: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the full extent of the financial impact of his policy on the public since he came to office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44629/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 208 together.

My Department is responsible for policy, and associated legislation, in the housing, water, environmental/waste, local government, heritage and other areas and achievement of the relevant policy objectives may have financial or wider economic impacts. In addition, my Department is responsible for a wide range of capital and current expenditure programmes which involve significant annual expenditure that is funded primarily from general taxation.

All relevant factors, including cost implications, are, and will continue to be, taken into account in the development of policy and the implementation of expenditure programmes by my Department.