I propose to take Questions Nos. 439, 440 and 442 together.
In accordance with the provisions of the Waste Management Acts, the preparation and adoption of a waste management plan, including in respect of infrastructure provision, is the statutory responsibility of the local authority or authorities concerned, and under section 60(3) of the Act the Minister is precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it.
I understand that an exploratory proposed alternative project has been put to the City Council and other organisations involved in waste management in Dublin; a communication which the company concerned issued on this matter on 3 February 2012 was copied to my Department for information. ..I also understand that the parties to the contract in respect of the Poolbeg facility are in a period of review. As the project is being advanced by Dublin City Council, acting on behalf of the four Dublin local authorities, questions concerning the status of the project, and any issues relating to the costs that may arise in specific contractual scenarios, should be directed to the City Council. Regard could also be had to relevant aspects of the report commissioned by my predecessor from Mr. John Hennessy SC, in relation to certain risks associated with the project in particular scenarios which, in the interests of openness and transparency, I published on my Department's website (www.environ.ie) in June 2011, subject to the redaction of certain commercially sensitive information. The Programme for Government commits to the development of a coherent national waste policy, adhering to the waste hierarchy, which will aim to minimise waste disposal in landfill and maximise recovery. I am prioritising this commitment, as I am anxious to provide early regulatory certainty, in the form of both policy and legislation, to ensure that the necessary actions and investments are progressed to achieve those aims. I expect to be in a position to submit final proposals in relation to national waste policy to Government by Easter this year.