26. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has engaged with Bord na Móna on the decrease in tonnage allowable from 1 December 2015 at the Drehid landfill site from 360,000 tonnes to 120,000 tonnes; if Bord na Móna has discussed with his Department when this excess tonnage will now be deposited; his views on increasing the levy for community gain to be applied by planning authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44113/15]

It is a matter for individual waste operators to determine their own preferred waste treatment options having regard to market conditions as well as available infrastructure in Ireland and elsewhere in the EU primarily. In terms of the specific matter referred to, under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by the Environmental Protection Agency of a statutory function vested in it, including matters concerning the licensing conditions of authorised landfill facilities. The attachment of conditions relating to individual community gain funds to planning permissions is a matter for the statutory planning authorities. The Minister has no role in the process.