Dáil Committee of Public Accounts: The granting of a waste management licence by the Environmental Protection Agency for the Ringaskiddy national toxic waste incinerator in Co Cork was not guaranteed, a Dáil committee was told yesterday.
Dr Mary Kelly, director-general of the EPA, said at the Committee of Public Accounts that the planning process and the EPA licensing process ran parallel and separate from each other.
The licence application had not yet come before the EPA board. It was at the moment being dealt with by its technical staff and it would then go to the board for consideration.
The incinerator was given planning permission by An Bord Pleanála last week.
The committee chairman, Mr John Perry (FG) raised the question of the waste management licence in the light of the planning permission for the incinerator and Dr Kelly said the two processes were separate.
Mr Perry asked: "Does this mean there is no guarantee that a licence will be issued?" Dr Kelly agreed: "There is no guarantee."
Mr Dan Boyle TD (Green Party) asked if there had ever been a circumstance where planning permission had been granted and the licence was subsequently not approved.
Dr Kelly acknowledged that there had not.
Asked by Mr Boyle about objections to the licence, Dr Kelly said the EPA made its documentation available to the public. Any person could make an objection which carried a fee.
Mr Boyle asked if it was not the case that it was expensive to object to discourage people from objecting.
Dr Kelly said it was in the legislation so she could not comment.
She said the EPA would not license any activity which would cause environmental pollution.
Asked about dioxin levels by Mr Batt O'Keeffe TD (FF), Dr Kelly said the amount was extremely low compared to EU standards.
The EPA brought its accounts and annual report for 2002 before the committee. Dr Kelly said Ireland faced a severe challenge in meeting the significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions required as the commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol got nearer.