Period of Consultation:  23 June to 29 July 2011

The Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan T.D., has initiated a public consultation as part of an economic impact assessment of the potential effects of amending, curtailing and/or abolishing the legacy property-based tax reliefs.

Commenting on the public consultation process the Minister said “I know that many people have strong views on the legacy property reliefs issue, and this is their opportunity to have their views heard and to contribute to the policy making process”.

The purpose of this consultation is to provide an opportunity for all interested parties to offer input on how the impact assessment should proceed in determining an appropriate policy approach to the legacy reliefs. There are a wide range of issues that could potentially influence the final outcome of the impact assessment. Comments on potential policy approaches that could be adopted, methodologies that may be used in the assessment and possible data sources that might be relied on are all welcome. The Department of Finance is keen to hear from all parties on these matters at an early stage.

The next step is for interested parties to respond to the consultation paper. The closing date for responses is 29 July 2011. Full details on how to make a submission and a list of the consultation questions are set out in the consultation paper.

Any clarifications relating to the consultation will be published on the Department of Finance tax policy website www.taxpolicy.gov.ie

Full details on how to make a submission and a list of the consultation questions are set out in the consultation paper

Great to see Minister Bruton focussing on technology and innovation, see below.

Company previously backed by Government achieves 1,000,000 customers after
150 days

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton recently opened the new expanded offices of SkillPages, a high-growth Irish social networking company which has achieved a million members after 150 days, to meet its founders and discuss the environment for tech start-ups in Ireland.

The company, founded in 2010, has offices in Dublin and Silicon Valley. It is a professional social network which attempts to bring together people looking for skills with people who have those skills. It has received support from Enterprise Ireland and some of its innovative ideas have derived from academic research in CLARITY, a research centre in UCD funded by Science Foundation Ireland.

Minister Bruton:

“I am determined that, in order to get jobs and the economy growing again, we must dramatically change the type of economy we have in Ireland. Where once we depended on speculation, we must now rely on innovation as the
basis of future growth.

“This weekend I returned from a week-long trade mission to Silicon Valley, where I saw first hand the highly innovative companies which are driving spectacular growth in the global technology boom. We in Ireland must not
only build on our traditional strengths to attract more of these companies here, but also learn from the highly innovative companies we already have here to drive a generation of Irish start-ups.

“Today I am delighted to see in SkillPages the great success that can come from a combination of government support, partnership with universities, and innovative people.

“I will be listening closely to hear what more government can do to support start-up companies like this to ensure that home-grown innovation can drive a generation of start-up companies and get jobs and the economy growing again”.

About SkillPages

SkillPages, the skill based social network, is transforming the way people with skills connect to the people who need them. The platform brings together your real life friends and social connections to help you find skilled people you can trust and also, to get found by people who need your skills. Over 1,000,000 people have joined SkillPages, finding skilled people they can trust and getting found by new customers, employers, business partners and more.

Since launching the SkillPages platform in January 2011, the company has been growing exponentially, with hundreds of thousands of people joining every month. SkillPages is a privately held company with offices in Dublin, Ireland and Palo Alto, CA.

See: www.SkillPages.com

About CLARITY

CLARITY is a multi-disciplinary research centre based at University College Dublin. It is a partnership between University College Dublin, Dublin City University and Tyndall Institute at University College Cork, funded by Science Foundation Ireland.

It reflects an ambitious vision to spearhead the evolution of the new science that is emerging at the intersection between two important research areas – Adaptive Sensing and Information Discovery.

CLARITY aims to lead to the development of innovative new technologies of critical importance to Irish industry in areas such as personal health, digital media and the environment, which will impact positively on the quality of life of people.

For more see – www.clarity-centre.org

Statement to the Dáil on the Sinn Féin Motion re: Water Charges, 15 June 2011

I will confine my remarks to the motion itself and the amendments tabled. There is clearly an ideological thrust to the motion. That is to be welcomed. It is probably communist, which I do not welcome. The problem with the motion is that no solutions are offered. It is a list of preambular paragraphs with no operational clauses.

In the first paragraph water is described as a basic human right. It is not a basic human right. It is not in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights nor in the European Convention. Interestingly, in 2010 the General Assembly did say that access to water was a right but this country abstained from the vote. That is an academic point and serves no purpose in this context but what I am trying to explain is that there is nothing of substance in the motion.

Reference is made in paragraph 4 to operational responsibility being maintained by local authorities. There are more than 30 local authorities dealing with the issue and the proposers of the motion wish the status quo to remain. Unfortunately, water collection, treatment and distribution do not know the political boundaries we have in this country. We must look beyond that. We must look at the economies of scale we can find if we pool our resources. That is what the Government is attempting to do.

Paragraph 6 deals with the creeping privatisation of our most vital resource. We are not talking about that; we are talking about service delivery. We are not talking about privatising the rain, which is impossible. In paragraph 10 the motion condemns the chronic and ongoing lack of investment in our water infrastructure. I completely agree with that, but that is what we are trying to address with the Government amendment.

Reference is made in paragraph 12 to the European Stability and Growth Pact. Unfortunately, I was not present for the entire debate so I am not entirely sure what that is about. I would like to know more. In paragraph 13 the motion promotes the establishment of an all-Ireland water and sewerage authority. If one is not going to give the authority revenue raising powers or a budget, it will have no powers at all. In effect, it is the establishment of another quango, which we on this side of the House are currently trying to abolish.

Issue raised by Deputy Murphy on the Adjournment, 21st June 2011.

Thank you Minister for taking this adjournment debate.

At the outset I would like to congratulate you on your important contribution to the jobs initiative – it’s important that there is consistency with our nearest neighbour in this regard and I look forward to any future review of the success of the scheme as no doubt it will be positive.

Minister I have raised this matter with you on a couple of occasions already since this Dáil began.

And I was very interested to see the figures around those seeking and receiving what is known as ‘Business Permission’ to enter this country. I think though that we can do better.

But I was very encouraged to learn that you and your officials are working on new immigration schemes in the areas of entrepreneurship and investment.

I put this matter on the adjournment because I would like to offer some ideas of my own.

We lost a generation of entrepreneurs in this country. Those that had the spirit and the talent went in to property, or were encouraged towards the perceived safety of professions. We risk losing another generation through the current economic crisis.

We need to get that spirit of enterprise back. And we need help from abroad to do that.

We know that Ireland is a very attractive place to live. We know that people do want to come here and start-up companies. We have a lot going for us. Very true in particular sectors [e.g. high tech]. There we have some great home grown talent, but also some major international players. And now we need to facilitate the third pillar – foreign entrepreneurs. We need to encourage foreign entrepreneurs in coming here and starting up a business.

The UK has what’s called an ‘entrepreneur visa scheme’, which it recently reviewed. I believe we can learn from that and improve our business visa – rebranded as the Irish entrepreneur visa – and use it to attract more people to our shores to start their own businesses, create investment, create jobs, create a new culture of enterprise and grow this economy once again.

I would like to outline to the Minister a couple of suggestions as to how the existing business permission visa could be improved, for his consideration, with a view to creating an enterprise visa. I have six points in total and I can provide the details to the Minister if he would like:

1.)        Startup funding: At the present time, individuals wishing to immigrate in order to start a business require 300,000 euro in startup funding. This value should be reduced to a minimum of 200,000 euro to encourage a higher quantity of investment. Entrepreneurs, particularly in the high tech space, can start up for a lot less than this.

2.)        Business partners: To facilitate the immigration of entrepreneurial individuals, the Business Permission requirement should allow for up to two individuals, with equal access to the aforementioned funding, to immigrate for the purpose of starting a business. Many business startups require more than one person, both for funding and management, and the single-person requirement represents an undue burden on potential entrepreneurs.

3.)        INIS website: Additionally, the INIS website, which details the requirements for acquiring a Business Permission needs to be updated. Several points remain unclear, such as the overall length of the visa and initial residence as well as any eventual terms for actual settlement or naturalization. Through a lack of information we risk discouraging people.

4.)        Bureaucratic burden: To reduce the bureaucratic burden, the Business Permission and separate Visa application should be submitted to one centralized agency rather than constitute two individual applications, as is currently the case. Needless waste could be reduced by taking the entire visa process holistically rather than as two separate parts.

5.)        Support gap: We have resources for startups here, such as Enterprise Ireland and the County Enterprise Boards. But neither organization caters specially to recipients of Business Permissions and visas who could use help establishing their businesses either before they arrive or once they have settled. We need something to fill this gap.

6.)        Vetting: The qualification which requires that a business plan has already been vetted by an accounting firm or a venture-capital firm should needs to be reformed or eliminated, along with the requirement detailing where a business will operate from, which includes layout specification and lease or rental plans. It’s just too onerous for the type of flexible, dynamic new enterprises that may be coming here. Startup funding or the backing of a VC firm should be enough.

Minister, these reforms, taken with a rebranding and renaming exercise, could make a significant contribution to attracting foreign startup companies and entrepreneurs in to Ireland. This would generate a more dynamic culture and if successful would also attract more FDI in to the country as Ireland re-positions itself as an enterprise nation.

Thank you

To read Minister Shatter’s response, click on the following link –> http://www.eoghanmurphy.ie/minister-reply/

For media coverage of this statement, please click on the following links:

Irish Times, 24.6.2011 http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2011/0624/1224299523536.html

FinFacts.ie, 23.6.2011 http://www.finfacts.ie/irishfinancenews/article_1022595.shtml

BusinessWorld.ie, 22.6.2011 http://www.businessworld.ie/livenews.htm?a=2799454

The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn T.D., today (Monday 13th June) opened the way for an overhaul of the enrolment policies in all schools.  Minister Quinn published a discussion document on admissions policy aimed at leading to changes in regulations and legislation on how primary and post primary schools allocate places to students.

“Central to this debate on enrolment is the need to ensure a fair and transparent system at all of our schools, which does not discriminate unfairly against students or parents.  At the heart of this paper is the simple question, ‘Can we find a better way for all?’” said Minister Quinn.

“This document is not meant to be prescriptive, nor have any decisions been made as to what elements will be contained in any final regulations or legislation.  It is meant to lead and provoke debate on enrolment policies.”

The document, “Discussion Paper on a Regulatory Framework for School Enrolment” contains suggestions on how to make the process of enrolling at either primary or second level schools more open, equitable and consistent.

There are two key areas where regulations, according to the paper, could focus:

• the content of an enrolment policy, in particular the over subscription criteria to be used when demand for places exceeds supply
• the operation of the enrolment policy

On the content of the enrolment policy, suggestions in the discussion document include:

• the enrolment policy of the school be easily and readily available to all
• the school’s ethos and general objectives should be set out clearly
• admission to the school cannot be conditional on the payment of a financial contribution or booking deposit
• how to deal with over-subscription

80% of all schools enrol all children who present, according to a 2009 ESRI report, while selection criteria are used for the other 20% of schools.  However, appeals have risen dramatically, by over 750%, since the procedure was introduced in 2002.

One of the main areas where problems do currently arise with enrolment in schools is when demand exceeds supply of places at a school.  The discussion document sets out a number of options to be considered in these cases:

• Age of applicant.  Schools could give, as is often the case now, priority to children who are older
• Remove waiting lists.  This is seen to disadvantage new comers to an area
• The practice of giving priority on a first come first served basis, which can result in long waiting lists in schools or even queues forming outside schools at the time of enrolment.  However, if such a decision was taken, consideration would have to be given as to how to deal with existing waiting lists.
• Siblings in the same school.  It would seem reasonable to continue to give priority to students who already have siblings in a school
• Remove the practice of giving priority to a student on the basis of being a relative of the staff, board of management, past pupil or benefactor of the school
• Faith.  Continue the right of denominational schools to give priority to children of a particular faith
• Give priority to pupils on the basis of proximity to their schools.
• Replace  requirements for competency of parents in a particular language with a criterion that parents should respect the linguistic policy of the school
• Ensure that admission to a school is not based on a pupil’s academic or other skills.
• Admission should not be contingent on the payment of a booking deposit

In relation to the operation of the enrolment process, the discussion paper suggests that regulations could standardise timeframes for enrolment, notification requirements, application processes, decision making processes and the appeals process.

The overall approach in the discussion document is to regulate only those aspects of enrolment policies and practices where a common or national approach may be desirable.  Otherwise, maximum discretion remains with the school and board of management.  However, the paper also sets out possible new sanctions in a case where a school or board of management is not compliant with any new regulations.  In such cases, a patron or the Minister may have the power to appoint an external admissions officer and remove the control of enrolment from a board.

The Minister is inviting education partners and interested parties to submit their views on school enrolment to the Department by the 28th of October.  A new regulatory framework will then be devised on school enrolment.

“I look forward to hearing the opinions of our education partners on this enrolment discussion document.  While decision making on enrolment should remain, as much as possible, at school level we must ensure that every child is treated fairly and that every child has a place at school,” Minister Quinn concluded.

The discussion document can be found at the department’s website at http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/sp_enrolment_discussion_paper.pdf

Bruton meets 5 of the top 10 US technology companies in bid to attract jobs
to Ireland

Meetings with total of 22 companies with combined revenues of $230billion
in attempt to take advantage of global technology boom

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD arrived back
in Ireland on Saturday (18th June 2011) after a hectic five-day mission to
the western United States to attract further jobs and investment to Ireland
as part of the global technology boom.

The Minister held individual meetings with 22 companies across a number of
targeted sectors, including five of the top ten technology companies in the
USA. The companies he met include several top internet companies with
household names.*

The 22 companies employ a total of over 350,000 people worldwide, with
combined revenues of over $230billion. They also include:

·     13 companies which are present in Ireland already, employing a total
of 13,000 people here, as well as several companies which may be
considering investing here for the first time;

·     A total of 15 technology companies;

·     Several rapidly growing “new technology” companies which are
characteristic of the new Silicon Valley boom;

·     Four leading US life sciences companies;

·     Companies in international services, entertainment and aviation.

One investment announcement (Aruba Networks, 40 jobs, 13th June 2011) has
already been made as part of the  trade mission and Minister Bruton
confirmed that a number of further announcements are on the way in the
coming weeks.

Speaking following his return to Ireland, the Minister said:

“By all indicators the global technology industry, and in particular ICT,
is experiencing a sustained period of impressive growth, and this creates
major opportunities for Ireland. I am determined, at this time of crisis,
that we must be highly ambitious about the amount of jobs and investment we
can attract to Ireland as part of this boom.

“I spent last week telling leading US companies at the highest level that
Ireland is open for business, and the response I got was very positive.

“What these companies told me is that in addition to retaining our absolute
commitment to our corporation tax rate, we must ensure that our R&D tax
credit system is globally competitive, our cost base is right and that our
education system is fit for the demands of the new economy.

“We have substantial work to do if we are to succeed in far-reaching goals.
For example, it is estimated that there are currently approximately 3,500
vacancies in the ICT sector in Ireland. The Minister for Education and
Skills has recently announced over 2,000 one-year ICT training places as
part of the Springboard programme from this September. However we must also
go beyond immediate needs, and I together with Minister Quinn will shortly
start an ambitious process of examining measures we can take to respond to
the future requirements of the ICT sector.

“Ireland is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the new technology
boom and reap a huge reward for our economy. We achieved this before with
the real Celtic Tiger of the mid/late 1990s. I am determined that with hard
work and ambitious policy changes we can do this again”.

The IDA has said that the significance of the Minister meeting key
companies is of immense value to its marketing efforts to promote
investment into Ireland and create jobs here.

80 companies backed by Enterprise Ireland last year to generate €528million in sales.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD announced today [Wednesday 8th June] that the Government, through Enterprise Ireland, supported the establishment of 80 new high potential start up companies (HPSUs) in 2010, involving over 150 entrepreneurs.

These innovative young companies will create over 770 new jobs over the next three years, bringing their total employment to almost 1,300. Total sales over the same three year period are expected to reach €528 million, with exports accounting for over 80% of this figure.

The innovative, export-businesses supported through this scheme have played a substantial role in stimulating local economies and employment. Over the past decade, through the scheme, Enterprise Ireland has supported over 800 high potential start up companies which are responsible for employing over 25,000 people directly and indirectly in the wider economy, and have combined sales of over €1.5 billion, 75% of which is exported.

Making the announcement at Enterprise Ireland’s annual High Potential Start Ups Showcase event, Minister Bruton said:

“Government does not create jobs, businesses do; but government has a crucial role in the process through creating the environment and providing the supports which allow businesses to thrive.

“If we are to turn the corner and get employment growing again we must ensure that we do everything we can to address three key policy areas:
· reducing business costs;
· improving access to finance; and
· encouraging R&D, innovation and commercialisation so as to ensure that good ideas can become good jobs.

“We must also ensure that the public sector, as a significant economic actor in its own right, takes the lead in each of these areas.

“Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-Up Programme, which supports the innovative, export-oriented businesses that will grow quickly and create the jobs of the future, is a key part of this job-creation strategy. Today’s event demonstrates what government and the private sector can do when they work together, and I am delighted to showcase the 80 projects supported in 2010 with the creation of 770 jobs and €528million in sales. It is particularly welcome to see that ten of the companies showcased today have developed from research in our third level institutions, which represents a substantial increase over previous years”.

Commenting on the outturn for 2010, Hugh Cooney, Chairman of Enterprise Ireland said: ‘The environment for business start ups is strong, but having the right supports in place is crucial. Access to funding in particular is a critical ingredient for driving a flow of new start ups. Very early stage companies can face difficulties in raising external finance.

‘In direct response to our client needs, Enterprise Ireland has introduced a series of Competitive Start Funds, aimed at helping them bridge this gap and quickly validate their market. Enterprise Ireland has also facilitated the development of four seed funds, in partnership with the main Irish banks. These four funds are on target to invest in 40 new businesses in 2011. Together, they represent a significant increase in the availability of seed funding for Irish companies, with €124m now available for investment as against €30m in one fund in 2009. Enterprise Ireland is committed to continuing this drive to support entrepreneurial growth’.

Statement to the Dáil on the Motion re: Dáil and Oireachtas Reform, 1 June 2011

Some Senators will tell you that the Senate, as it stands, should be abolished. And that that is why we need instead to reform it, for checks and balances they say. For our democracy. But we could spend the next 4 years reforming the Senate and still the real problems facing democracy in this country would not have been resolved. Our democratic deficit would not have been corrected.

Because those problems, in large part, lie in this chamber.

Now it may just be, somewhat paradoxically, that the most important reform we can make to the performance of this House lies in reforming another level of government – local government – but for the purpose of this debate, I will confine my remarks to the operation of this chamber.

From my brief time here, I do believe I can make some observations about how this chamber could be improved now, in the hope that this might make our remaining time here more meaningful.

I say this knowing that there aren’t many people listening. And knowing full well that these are only ideas, that need to be fleshed out with others in open debate, but that we won’t be afforded that opportunity here.

It bothers me that speaking time is equal between parties and groups, and not between individual representatives. Time should be allotted based on the number of those choosing to speak. Not simply split between parties and groups.

It’s not right that people come in here and use certain rules of procedure to raise matters that they know in advance will not be discussed. Just so they can go back to their constituencies and say they raised the issue in the Dáil. What is the point of that? It’s Potemkin politics and it serves nobody but the politicians themselves.

Matters on the Adjournment of the House also fall in to this category. Five minutes to raise a pre-flagged issue in this chamber with a Minister, and then to get a response there and then, is no small thing. But it is no better than a letter or an email in the absence of a right to reply to the Minister, there and then. Yes you get an answer. But it is that ability to question authority which is lacking here. Without it we serve as postmen and women.

What struck me most in my time on Dublin City Council was that we engaged in actual debate. Often I would walk in to a meeting not sure about how I would vote on an issue. And over the course of debate I would be moved one way or the other. That is powerful stuff. And I would participate in those debates and try to move others with my own words. That is powerful stuff

We engaged with each other and our decisions and actions were better for it. We had to know our stuff, be able to defend it, and we couldn’t just rely on the Party line.

Because there was no Party whip, outside of the election of the Lord Mayor and financial provisions. There is much merit in exploring a similar move here.

We need to transform this chamber into a debating chamber. Where opinions are given, and where they are also heard. Where through debate and constructive engagement, we do better for this country collectively than any of us could individually. This is at the root of parliamentary democracy. This is the checks and balances, and we must have it HERE, in Dáil Éireann.

Strong democratic governments, require strong parliaments, require strong opposition. Little about the operation of this chamber as it currently stands lends itself to that. For many years it has served only as a vehicle for the executive to legitimise its actions. Well that didn’t serve the people too well. And now it’s time to change.

And I, as a member of Fine Gael, am committed to making that change. This government is setting about implementing the most ambitious set of political reforms ever undertaken in this state. We want to implement them with the full support of this chamber. In recognition of the fact that what we are attempting is important, and that it serves our greater interests, as representatives and also as a democratic country.

We are fortunate to have the parliamentary system that we have. So let us use it as it is meant to be used. As a place not just of great speeches, but of great debate. And with that, as the seat of responsible, accountable and proper decision making in this country.

I commend the motion because it has afforded us decent time to start the discussion, and I wish us all well in what we endeavour to achieve.

Massive overhaul of company law will make it easier and cheaper to start and run a business – Bruton

Legislation published online today represents most significant reform of company law since 1963

***

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton today [Monday] published on his Department’s website “Pillar A” of the new Companies Bill, which will make it cheaper and easier to start and run a business.

The legislation, which comprises 952 sections and six schedules on over 1300 pages of text, is expected to represent the largest piece of legislation in the history of the State when complete. It is the most significant reform in Irish company law since 1963, and consolidates the 15 existing Company Acts as well as a significant number of statutory instruments and judgments.

Announcing the publication, Minister Bruton stated:

I have consistently said that if we are going to get the economy growing and if we are going to create and protect jobs, we must focus on three things:

• reducing costs to businesses
• improving access to finance and
• encouraging R&D and innovation.

This reform, like many others announced recently by my Department, will have a significant impact on reducing business costs. After these reforms are enacted, for example, it will now be possible for a person to start a business without needing to find a second director. Small businesses will no longer have to go to the expense of holding a physical AGM every year. The burden of company legal documentation will be greatly reduced. And crucially, it will be easier for business-owners to find out the nature of their legal rights and duties and will reduce the need consult with lawyers.

I commend all those involved for their work in the area, and I am determined to press ahead to complete these reforms so that Irish businesses can benefit from them as soon as possible”.

Minister Bruton decided to publish Pillar A of the Bill in advance of the completion of drafting of the entire Bill in order to allow people and businesses who will be affected to prepare for the changes made by the legislation. It is expected that the remainder of the Bill will be published in 2012, with speedy enactment thereafter.

As well as consolidating existing law in the area, Pillar A of the Bill will make important changes which will make it easier and cheaper to start and run a company. The legislation published today contains all provisions relevant to the private company limited by shares, which under the Bill will be known as “cls” instead of “ltd”, and which accounts for over 90% of companies in Ireland. This company type will now be put at the centre of Irish company law, and important reforms will be made to the way this company type operates:

• A cls will be allowed to have only one director,
• A cls will only be required to have one document in its company constitution, and the Act provides for a default document to apply in all cases except where the company changes this,
• A cls will have the same legal capacity as a natural person, reducing the necessity to prepare long company constitutions, and reducing legal disputes caused by the ultra vires doctrine,
• A cls will no longer be required to have a “physical” AGM every year – it will be possible to do this by correspondence,
• Other changes include an exhaustive listing of the duties of directors (previously contained in caselaw) and of all criminal offences under company law.

Pillar A of the Bill, which comprises 952 sections and six schedules on over 1300 pages of text contains all provisions dealing with the private company limited by shares (“cls”), which is the most common company type in Ireland, accounting for 90% of companies. Pillar B will deal with other company types.

Dr Tom Courtney, chairman of the Company Law Review Group, said:

The publication of the provisions of Pillar A of the Companies Bill represents a landmark moment in the development of Irish company law. The document which is published today is the product of years of very careful and painstaking work in remodelling Irish company legislation around the entity which uses it most – the private company limited by shares – and in making that legislation more accessible to those who need to be familiar with its provisions, whether in the business community or professional advisers. The publication of “Pillar A” will allow all of these stakeholders the opportunity to become familiar with the provisions of the proposed new law, and to interrogate these provisions from a technical perspective in advance of the Bill being enacted.

A copy of the bill can be found on the Departments website at the following link:

http://www.deti.ie/commerce/companylawreview/companiesbill.htm

Murphy criticises previous Minister’s inappropriate use of powers

Speaking in the Dail today Fine Gael Deputy Eoghan Murphy, Dublin South East, called on the Minister to introduce levies on incineration that would prevent people from using it as the only alternative to landfill. He also criticised the former Minister for inappropriately using national policy to address local issues.

Addressing the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011, Deputy Murphy said:

“In increasing the levies, we use market forces to put an end to the practice of landfilling. We make better forms of waste management more attractive to people creating waste and people treating waste. With higher levies we move away from this lowest tier on the waste management hierarchy. This is a good thing.

“But where do we move to? I’m not opposed to incineration with energy recovery as an element in our waste management matrix. It’s necessary and much needed if we are to fulfil our international commitments to move away from landfill. But there’s no point in moving from a dependence on one waste management option to a dependence on another.

“In increasing the levies on landfill, in the absence of levies on incineration, we do just that. We move the market towards an over reliance on incineration, to the detriment of other waste management practices.” Murphy urged the Minister for Environment, Phil Hogan TD, to proceed with levies on incineration, which are made possible by the Bill, upon its adoption.

In relation to the issue of the proposed incinerator planned for Poolbeg, Murphy criticised the former Minister for the Environment for using national policy to get around local issues that were an inconvenience for him with the electorate.

“I am not supporting the introduction of levies on incineration as a way of undermining the proposed incinerator for Poolbeg…others have attempted to do this in the recent past. But I believe such behaviour to be irresponsible. You don’t make national decisions to fit local issues or electoral considerations. It leads to very bad policy and is no way to govern a country.”

Murphy stated his opposition to the proposed incinerator in Poolbeg but further stated that the Bill was not about that singular issue. He concluded by urging the Minister to impose levies on incineration that were both market appropriate while at the same time encouraged diversity in waste management, with a bias towards recycling, recovery and re-use.