Gormley attacked over incinerator plans
20/11/2007 - 19:28:33Opposition politicians today rounded on Minister for the Environment John Gormley after planning approval was granted for the country’s third waste incinerator.
Despite fierce local opposition, An Bord Pleanala yesterday granted permission for the massive plant on Dublin’s Poolbeg peninsula to burn up to 600,000 tonnes of rubbish a year – 20% more than its own inspectors recommended.
In the Dáil both Labour leader Eamon Gilmore and Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny raised Mr Gormley’s own strong opposition to the proposals when in opposition.
Mr Gilmore said the Green Party leader assured constituents last April that if the party got into Government the incinerator would not get the go-ahead.
“Minister Gormley must be the first politician ever that found on appointment to ministerial office that he has less power than when he was an opposition TD,” Mr Gilmore said.
Mr Kenny also raised Mr Gormley’s previous criticism of the plan while on the opposition benches.
Both leaders asked of Mr Ahern what Mr Gormley meant when the latter commented earlier today that he would make Poolbeg redundant.
Mr Kenny asked: “Do you actually agree with John Gormley that Government policy now is to make the approved incinerator in Poolbeg redundant?”
Mr Gilmore added: “What does Minister Gormley mean when he says he going to make it [the incinerator] redundant?”
Mr Ahern said the Green Party leader meant that he was committed to reducing the need for such waste disposal methods and increasing recycling.
He added it was wrong to suggest that Mr Gormley had the power to halt the incinerator.
The Poolbeg incinerator will generate power for nearly 50,000 homes and heat for around 60,000 households.
But opponents of the scheme Combined Residents Against Incineration, supported by several thousand local people, yesterday insisted they would fight the decision.
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