Written Answers. - Waste Disposal.
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:
207
Mr. Stagg
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
the meetings or discussions, if any, held between his Department and the proposers of the hazardous waste incinerator at Boycetown, Kilcock; if so, the date and location of each meeting; the outcome of each meeting; the names of those who attended the meeting from each side; if he or the Minister of State attended any of these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11964/99]
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:
208
Mr. Stagg
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
if his attention has been drawn to the proposal to build an incinerator of hazardous wastes at Boycetown, Kilcock; if any State or EU funds will be provided for this plant; if an application for funding has been made by the developer; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11965/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 208 together.
There was a short meeting on 17 February 1999 between representatives of a company named Thermal Waste Management, TWM, and officials of my Department. This meeting, which took place in the offices of the Department, was attended by Mr. Martin Blake, managing director of the company, Mr. Brian Keogh of the Irish Productivity Centre, and Messrs Liam Whelan, Eamonn Markey and Noel Casserly of the Department. Neither I, nor Minister of State Wallace, attended this meeting.
In the course of this meeting, TWM outlined in broad terms the nature of the proposed project, which involved the thermal treatment of waste, and inquired about the availability of grant assistance in respect of the costs of a proposed feasibility study.
The Department officials concerned outlined ongoing developments in relation to waste management policy and planning; indicated that the Department had no direct function in relation to the provision of waste infrastructure; described the current programme of grant assistance in respect of waste recycling and hazardous waste management facilities under the EU co-financed Operational Programme for Environmental Services, 1994-1999, and indicated that available funding under this programme has been fully committed; provided information regarding the EU LIFE programme, which funds innovative demonstration projects related to the environment; and indicated that the Department of the Environment and Local Government did not operate any other relevant funding programme.
On 19 February 1999, I had a meeting with Mr. Blake, who is a constituent, at my office in Trim. Mr. Blake informed me of TWM's proposal and, as would be normal in such matters, I indicated that he must pursue the matter formally with my Department. In March 1999, TWM submitted a formal proposal to my Department for grant assistance of £350,000 in respect of a research study related to the proposed thermal treatment project. TWM has been informed that there is no provision for such funding in my Department.
The operation of a waste facility of the nature proposed would require an integrated licence from the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992. The Minister for the Environment and Local Government has no function in relation to the grant or otherwise of such licences and is specifically precluded under the 1992 Act from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by the EPA of its functions in particular circumstances.
