Officials to meet firm on incinerator plan's future

Dublin City Council officials will today meet representatives of the Danish oil consortium that has taken over the private firm that had a deal with the local authority to build an incinerator in Poolbeg, Dublin.

Minister for the Environment Dick Roche told the Dáil that the consortium, Danish Oil and Natural Gas (DONG), had stated it was "not able to the meet the terms of the PPP [ public-private partnership] and the reality is that it will be out of the PPP".

The Minister was speaking during a special-notice debate on the Poolbeg incinerator following comments by Tánaiste and local TD Michael McDowell that the project had collapsed.

Elsam, the private firm in the deal with the council to design, build and operate the incinerator, was taken over by DONG, which the Minister said had sought significant changes to the PPP, including providing financing of just 25 per cent. The changes sought were not in line with the PPP "and it would not be appropriate for those changes to be agreed", he said.

Dublin City Council, however, might seek another partner and the planning and licensing processes were independent and could proceed.

Labour TD Ruairí Quinn said the project should be abandoned. If the plant went ahead to the specific design-and-build specification agreed with Elsam, the council would have a plant "parented by a company that has now basically abandoned it". They "could end up with nobody tendering to run somebody else's child." Mr Quinn added: "We should not waste more money. An Bord Pleanála personnel are up to their tonsils trying to deal with major infrastructure and it would be the height of irresponsibility to allow this project to proceed in the knowledge it would never fly".

Fianna Fáil MEP and local TD Eoin Ryan said there was a need for total clarity on the project after the meeting, so that everyone would know where they stood. Mr Ryan asked: "Considering the local authority spent so much time and effort, does the Minister know whether it can be compensated for all the money spent on the project to date?"

Green Party local TD John Gormley also called for clarity on whether the planning and licensing processes could go ahead if new commercial arrangements were made and if there was a new partner.

Mr Roche said "the planning and Environmental Protection Agency processes are independent processes which have started and can proceed".

The PPP process was very exacting and if any significant change was made, the promoter - Dublin City Council - "has no option but to indicate to its partner that the issue cannot be agreed. In those circumstances, Dublin City Council may seek another partner."

Bernard Durkan (FG, Kildare North) asked in what context the Minister had told the Tánaiste about the project.

Mr Roche said it would be "bizarre" if Ministers did not discuss topical matters.