John Gormley

  Mr. Gormley: A few weeks ago, the Taoiseach assured the House that peace had broken out regarding the Strategic National Infrastructure Bill.  It is good to see the Ministers for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Justice, Equality and Law Reform sitting side by side.  Will the legislation contain references to incineration?  The original idea was to fast-track incineration.  Will it be dropped? (more…)

 Mr. Gormley: Will the strategic national infrastructural Bill, which will fast-track the building of incinerators, be published before the summer recess?
 
   The Tánaiste: As the matter has not yet been cleared by the Cabinet, I am not in a position to say when it will be published.
 
   Mr. Gormley: When I asked about the legislation yesterday, I was told by the Minister for Defence that it would be published shortly.  Will the Tánaiste define “shortly” because I would like to know will it be published in 2004?
 
   The Tánaiste: The Chief Whip tells me it is more likely to be 2005.

 Mr. Gormley: We are all aware that certain tensions exist now between the Government parties, particularly with regard to promised legislation.  The legislation I refer to is the strategic national infrastructural Bill.  The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has said he is opposed to the inclusion of incineration.  Is the Taoiseach also opposed——
 
   An Ceann Comhairle: That does not arise.  We will move on to the next business.
 
   Mr. Gormley: When will the legislation be published?
 
   The Taoiseach: It should be published later this year.

24. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the fact that the building of municipal incinerators will increase the level of dioxins here, which are cancer causing, in view of the largest amount of airborne dioxins in Denmark comes from incinerators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15717/04] (more…)

 Mr. Gormley: Is the Progressive Democrats Party still adamant that the strategic national infrastructure Bill will not include incineration, as the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has indicated?
 
   An Ceann Comhairle: We cannot discuss the content of legislation on the Order of Business.
 
   Mr. Gormley: I want the Tánaiste to be clear about the position of her party. (more…)

Mr. Gormley: Given that the Minister, Deputy Cullen, has spoken about the need to fast-track the construction of incinerators throughout the country—–
 
   Mr. Cullen: The Deputy did.
 
   Mr. Gormley: —–including in my constituency of Dublin South-East, can I ask the Taoiseach—– (more…)

   Mr. Gormley: I wish to share time with Deputy Gogarty.  I welcome the opportunity to speak in favour of the motion before the House tonight.  I visited Deputy Joe Higgins in Mountjoy.  He is a champion of the most deprived in our society and has fought valiantly for greater equity.  However, I made the point during my visit that I disagree with his stance on the bin charge.  A protest should affect the people against whom one is protesting, not innocent bystanders.  In the current protest there has been too much collateral damage, to use the terrible euphemism of the US military.  Non-collection of bins can be a negative experience for people with large families and for older people.  In view of the number of phone calls I have received, I believe it has not left people well disposed towards the protest or the protesters. (more…)

 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the claim in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health published by the British Medical Journal that living close to an incinerator increases the risks of a baby being born with spina bifida; and his further views on the need, in view of this latest information, for the Government to reconsider its support for incineration. (more…)

  Mr. Gormley: I want to return to the issue of promises made outside this House.  Is the Tánaiste aware that during the general election, several Deputies, including the Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, promised to stop incinerators if elected to Government. This has been reneged upon.  Can I ask quite specifically—– (more…)