Minister denies unfair competition in waste industry

The Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche, has dismissed allegations of unfair competition in the waste sector.

Private operators claim that local authorities get more grant aid, and find it easier and quicker to get planning permission for waste-disposal facilities.

The minister says any disparities in planning law will be dealt with in the upcoming Strategic Infrastructure Bill.

At the National Waste Summit today, Mr Roche said it was unrealistic to expect private facilities to get the same grants as public projects as they operate for public service only, while private facilities operate on a profit basis.