Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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239. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will confirm that Knockharley dump in Kentstown, County Meath will not be used again for emergency dumping, in breach of planning permission, and that the issue of lack of capacity in Dublin for waste disposal will be dealt with. [40364/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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Waste Management planning, including infrastructure provision, is the responsibility of local authorities under Part II of the Waste Management Act, 1996. I am precluded under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act, 1996 from the exercise of any power or control in relation to the performance by a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it under the Act.  

Issues relating to planning are a matter for individual planning authorities or An Bord Pleanála, with policy responsibility resting with the Minster for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

Notwithstanding the above, I am aware that in November an emergency situation arose where there was insufficient capacity to dispose of residual waste. To prevent or limit potential environmental pollution, both Meath and Wicklow County Council activated the available landfill capacity in Knockharley and Ballynagran under Section 56 of the Waste Management Act 1996. Dublin City Council as lead Authority for the Eastern and Midlands Regional Waste Management Planning Office, also invoked this legislative provision which gives a local authority broad powers to take measures in order to prevent or limit environmental pollution.

My Department is working with the three Regional Waste Management Planning Lead Authorities and other regulatory bodies to ensure such emergency measures are not required going forward.