asked the Minister for the Environment the steps being taken to encourage local authorities to convert refuse to energy.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Refuse Conversion.
12.
I am advised that investment in plants for energy conservation would not be an economic proposition at the present time except, possibly for very large centres of population.
A study on the feasibility of incinerating waste with energy recovery was commissioned by Dublin Corporation and the consultant's report is now being examined. It will be a matter for the corporation in the first instance to decide on any action arising from the study.
I also understand that the general question of using waste as an energy source is being kept under review by the Department of Industry and Energy.
Is the Minister aware that there are several urban areas across the water where the local corporation is making a profit from re-cycling both ordinary waste and abandoned cars? Would he not consider trying to increase the sense of urgency which his own Department and local authorities may be addressing to this problem in the hope that a profit may be made which itself may help to finance local services?
My understanding is that the profitability of such a plant would very much depend on the amount of waste and the size of the urban area involved. Evidently Dublin and, possibly, Cork, would be the only two areas which would qualify in that regard. The matter is being urgently pursued. An Foras Forbartha have done a study with the local authorities to see if this is possible. Dublin Corporation are also making a study of the problem and I think we should wait for the results of these studies and see what proposals emerge before we decide to do anything.
Are Cork people more thrifty than Dublin people?
I do not care to comment on that.