Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Feb 1991

Vol. 404 No. 7

Written Answers. - Toxic Waste Incinerator.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

24 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment the current position regarding the proposal to establish a national toxic waste incinerator; if any decision has been made as to (a) its location and (b) the body who will run it; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Roger T. Garland

Question:

55 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for the Environment whether he visited Dupont Chemical Engineering Plant in Northern Ireland in a public or a private capacity to discuss the proposed site for a toxic waste incinerator; whether part funding has been mentioned to this or any other group or authority in the North of Ireland; if he has developed in any way his plans for such an incinerator on this island; and if he will make a statement on all aspects of the proposed toxic waste incineration plant.

Patrick D. Harte

Question:

74 Mr. Harte asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Dupont Chemical Engineering Plant in Derry have applied for permission to build a toxic waste incinerator on the east bank of Lough Foyle; whether he recently visited the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

75 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment the reason he visited the Dupont Chemical Engineering Plant, County Derry late last year; if he is now considering abandoning proposals for the setting up of a toxic waste incinerator in the State; and when he intends to make a decision on the matter.

Neil T.C. Blaney

Question:

150 Mr. Blaney asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the siting of a national incinerator in Derry, and, if so, if his Department are contributing in any way towards it.

Neil T.C. Blaney

Question:

151 Mr. Blaney asked the Minister for the Environment if he visited the Dupont site in Derry in 1990; and, if so, the purpose of the visit.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

152 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment the current position with regard to the provision of a national toxic waste incinerator.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Flynn)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 55, 74, 75, 150, 151 and 152 together.

I have recently had confirmation of the intention of Dupont (UK) Limited to evaluate the possibility of providing a hazardous waste facility, with capacity to serve the whole of Ireland, at their Maydown Works, County Derry. This followed earlier informal indications from Dupont of their interest in this project and, at Dupont's invitation, a visit by me to the Maydown Works.

Having regard to proposals already existing for a hazardous waste incinerator facility here, and to the unlikelihood of the whole of Ireland being able economically to support more than one such facility, I had discussions on this matter within the framework of the Anglo-Irish Inter-governmental Conference on 31 January with the Northern Ireland Minister with responsibility for the Environment, Mr. Richard Needham, M.P. I intend to allow time for the situation to clarify further before deciding to support any particular proposal.