Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2015
246. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he, or any of the agencies under his Department's remit, have undertaken a scientific assessment on the issue of the safety-for-consumption of food produced in the Dublin region, following the commencement of the operation of the Poolbeg incinerator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24393/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra260. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that following the commencement of incineration at the Poolbeg incinerator in Dublin, it will continue to be safe for residents in the Dublin Bay South area to consume soft fruit and leafy vegetables grown in their gardens; the scientific basis for his conclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24391/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 260 together.
The Dublin Waste to Energy Project has obtained all necessary statutory consents, including planning permission granted by An Bord Pleanála and a licence from the Environmental Protection Agency granted under the Industrial Emissions Directive. As part of the application processes, the development has been subject to a full Environmental Impact Assessment as required under the EIA Directive. The EIA process is designed to ensure that projects likely to have significant effects on the environment are subject to a comprehensive assessment of environmental effects prior to development consent being given.
An EIA must identify, describe and assess the effects of a proposed development on various factors, including, inter alia:
- human beings, fauna and flora;
- soil, water, air, climate and the landscape; and
- material assets and the cultural heritage.
The Directive further requires that EIA be carried out in an open and transparent manner with the public and bodies with specific environmental responsibility being given an opportunity to comment and participate in the process of assessment.
