Seanad Report:Decisions were being made by independent bodies for political reasons because powers had been abrogated in legislation and politicians could not stand over that, Dan Boyle (GP), deputy leader of the Seanad, said.
Mr Boyle called for the immediate instigation of the commitment in the programme for government to review the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the early introduction of the legislation that was to follow that review.
Senators had recently discussed how an ongoing process of abrogating political responsibility to stand-alone bodies was diminishing political decision-making and democratic accountability.
Yesterday's decision to grant a draft waste licence for the Poolbeg incinerator, which would go to a public consultation process in which the EPA would decide itself whether it was right to grant the licence in the first instance, was another example of such perversion of democratic principles and of the need for the political process as a whole to reclaim responsibility in this area. He believed that what they were seeing was an instance of bullying by institution.
"Because powers have been abrogated in legislation we now have decisions that are being made by independent bodies for political reasons. As participants in the political process, we cannot stand over that."
Mr Boyle said he believed that this week's decision from An Bord Pleanála on Poolbeg was yet another example of what was happening. The inspector's report acknowledged that the policy on waste management incineration was changing, but because it had not been put in writing, neither the planning inspector nor the board would recognise it.
"I suspect that the EPA's move today was based on a similar decision. Policy formation in this area is changing but an attempt is being made to reach decisions in advance of that change. We all should be concerned about such a process."
David Norris (Ind): "Hear, hear".
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Eugene Regan (FG) called for a statement by the Minister for Justice on the horrendous and disturbing "Dalkey baby case" concerning the death of an infant in 1973. He understood a report had been delivered to the Minister, and he wanted to know if Mr Lenihan intended to take any action on foot of it.