Durkan: Strathfoyleplant had potentialto meet our needs

He said: “I believe that the NWRWMG has had to bow to circumstances totally outside its control.

“I am confident, however, that in light of the major challenges which have been presented to both the deliverability and value for money of the project, that the Joint Committee has made the correct decision.”

He said NWRWMG will now have to develop contingency plans for ensuring that its councils can continue to meet their legal obligations for the diversion of landfill.

He said: “The Joint Committee’s decision has been taken against a background in which, as we all know, waste management in the North requires major reform.

“For my part, I am committed to seeing that reform delivered, in the best interests of the environment, the economy and the people of Northern Ireland.

“The reform of local government generally provides us with a strong platform on which to deliver a new model for waste services and I will continue to work closely with my officials, councils and other stakeholders until we have rooted out illegality and established a fit for purpose waste management environment for Northern Ireland as a whole.”