To ask the Minister of the Environment for his assessment of the environmental issues relating to the North Foreshore site as a possible location for arc21's proposed Energy from Waste (EfW) facility.

The Waste Management Groups, working on behalf of the councils and in line with their responsibilities to provide waste facilities, are operationally responsible for considering the suitability of specific sites. No planning application has been submitted for an Energy from Waste plant in the North Foreshore area of Belfast. I am aware of the proposed consultation by Belfast City Council for a proposed EfW plant at this site.

If an application is submitted to the Department, the Planning Service will be required to formally assess environmental issues in the planning process and take a balanced, measured decision. It would not be appropriate for me as Minister to usurp their role in this regard.