I propose to take Question Nos. 86 to 88, inclusive, together.
On 15 July 2010 I published a Draft Statement of Waste Policy for public consultation. This set out the various elements being considered as part of the development of a new national waste management policy for the coming decade and beyond by developing a resource-based and sustainable waste policy for Ireland.
The Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) process recovers all the high calorific materials from municipal solid waste through waste treatment systems, such as Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT), and then converts it into a fuel capable of replacing coal or other fossil fuels, including in cement kilns. It is one example of a process which can contribute to a resource management approach to waste and also create jobs, improve competitiveness, and enhance prosperity.
Under the Waste Management Acts, the landfill levy currently applies only to waste deposited at landfill. I have, however, published draft sections of a Bill — the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill — for public consultation. This Bill provides for the application of a volumetric levy to other waste facilities and any exclusions from such levies will be set out in Regulations made on foot of this proposed legislation. The facility referred to in the question operates under an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) licence; decisions on IPPC licences are the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The monitoring and enforcement of conditions attaching to IPPC licences are also a matter for the EPA. Under the Environmental Protection Agency Acts 1992 to 2007 , I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by the EPA of its licensing functions in specific cases.