JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT, HERITAGE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT debate -
Wednesday, 28 Jul 2010

Business of Joint Committee

Chairman

Apologies have been received from Deputies Johnny Brady, McCormack and Scanlon. The draft minutes of the meeting of 20 July have been circulated. Are they agreed? Agreed.

The next item is correspondence received since the last meeting. The first two items have been held over from earlier meetings. Representatives of the tyre industry have written to us requesting a meeting to discuss a producer responsibility initiative for the disposal of tyres. We have written to the Department on the issue. Is it agreed that we arrange a meeting on the matter once we receive a response from it? Agreed.

The second item is a departmental briefing on pyrites, an issue raised by Deputy Terence Flanagan. Do members wish to deal with this issue after the summer? The Joint Committee on Transport has had a meeting with representatives of the National Roads Authority to discuss the use of pyrites in road construction. Our concern is with their use in house building.

Deputy Phil Hogan

The housing end of it is the problem for consumers.

Chairman

Yes, particularly in north Dublin.

Deputy Phil Hogan

Perhaps we could deal with the issue at the end of September.

Chairman

Is that agreed? Agreed.

The next item is No. 948 from the waste policy section of the Department, a draft policy statement outlining the key principles and actions to inform waste policy in the coming decade. Is it agreed that we note this correspondence? Agreed.

The next item is a draft policy for the regulation of the collection of household food waste. Is it agreed that we note this correspondence? Agreed.

The next item is a notice of public consultation on a new draft statement on waste policy. The correspondence is noted.

The next item is a report of the local government efficiency review group setting out 106 recommendations on the cost and numbers of those employed in local authorities and the proposed amalgamation of authorities. We should discuss this issue early in the next session.

The next item, No. 950, is a newsletter from Europe’s World. The correspondence is noted.

Since the last meeting two circulars have been issued to local authorities. The first is from the waste policy section and deals with the enforcement of waste management legislation. The second, also from the waste policy section, relates to the procurement of goods from producers and distributors, with reference to responsibilities and obligations under the Waste Management Act.

Senator Paudie Coffey

Regarding the draft waste management plan, would it be possible to make provision in the next term to debate the issue? There is great confusion about waste streams, capacities, treatments and so on. It is important that the committee debate the draft plan thoroughly once it has been finalised.

Chairman

We will do so before it is finalised.

Deputy Ciarán Lynch

I am aware that there are important issues to be discussed today, but I have a question relating to last week's meeting. I propose, on foot of the series of recommendations contained in the report completed by members, that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, appear before the committee early in the autumn to discuss the recommendations as they pertain to his Department.

Chairman

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Deputy James Bannon

On a related issue, the committee usually invites representatives of An Bord Pleanála to appear before it.

Chairman

We will do so. What normally happens is that we invite representatives of the board to appear before the committee immediately after it issues its annual report. The annual report for 2009 has not yet been published, although I expect it to appear soon. I give a guarantee that we will invite representatives of the board to appear immediately after publication of the report.

Deputy James Bannon

Yes. Perhaps this issue should be looked at again in September.

Chairman

Absolutely.

On travel, estimates of the cost per member of attending the two meetings in Brussels on 30 September and 3 and 4 October have been circulated. Can the committee agree that the figures are quite small and modest? Agreed.

When in September do members wish to hold a meeting? As the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party intends to hold a two-day meeting on 13 and 14 September, that week would not suit members on our side.

Deputy Ciarán Lynch

Is that meeting due to be held on the Tuesday and Wednesday of that week?

Chairman

It is due to be held on the Monday and Tuesday of that week.

Deputy Ciarán Lynch

I understand the Labour Party is due to meet on the Wednesday and Thursday of that week.

Chairman

We will rule out holding a meeting that week.

Deputy Phil Hogan

What about arranging a meeting the following week?

Chairman

We should make a provisional booking for Tuesday, 21 September, although the Dáil will not return until one week later. A couple of items are outstanding and we will pick a topic in the next two days to make the necessary arrangements. Is it provisionally agreed that we hold our next meeting on Tuesday, 21 September?

Senator Paudie Coffey

This could be an opportunity for the Minister, if he is available, to appear before the committee before the Dáil resumes.

Chairman

What do members suggest as the first topic——

Deputy Phil Hogan

Flood relief, because the issue is topical.

Chairman

Okay. If the Minister is not available to appear before the committee on that date, what other topic do members wish to discuss?

Deputy Phil Hogan

Waste management. The Minister has a number of topics to address.

Chairman

He will be a busy man. The committee will keep him busy.

Senator Paudie Coffey

He has a number of papers on the boil, some of which are to be placed on the back burner.

Chairman

They will not be placed on any burner, as far as he is concerned.

Deputy James Bannon

Members must keep the pressure on him.

Chairman

They could be placed on ice. I will work on an agenda for the meeting.

Sitting suspended at 2.12 p.m. and resumed at 2.14 p.m.