I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 to 174, inclusive, together.
Decisions in relation to capital investment or end-use of products by Bord na Móna Recycling are operational matters for the company and I have no function in respect of these matters. However, to be of assistance I have forwarded the Deputy’s questions to the company for direct response.
In terms of the regulatory framework for waste shipments, I am informed by the Irish competent authority (Dublin City Council) that in 2021, shipments of refuse derived fuel (RDF) from Ireland were sent to Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Northern Ireland and Sweden. All such consignments were sent in accordance with the provisions of the European Waste Shipment Regulation’s ‘amber-list procedure’. This means that the competent authorities for the export and destination countries are required to assess and approve an application to ship. The National Transfrontier Shipment Office (NTFSO) is Ireland's competent authority. Shipments can only commence once this approval is given. All European countries operate environmental licensing programmes ensuring that any facility that accepts RDF for incineration must have an environmental licence in place. The environmental licence is assessed as part of the waste shipment application to the NTFSO.