TD challenges incineration strategy

The Dublin waste strategy by MCCK, published on Monday, has been described as "deeply flawed" by the Socialist Party TD, Mr Joe…

The Dublin waste strategy by MCCK, published on Monday, has been described as "deeply flawed" by the Socialist Party TD, Mr Joe Higgins, who said the consultants' support for retaining the "grossly polluting" Balleally dump would be an issue in the Dublin North by-election.

He also condemned the proposed thermal treatment plant, saying that waste incineration was not environmentally friendly and was favoured only by corporate interests which could profit from their capability to produce huge quantities of energy.

Mr Higgins said MCCK's contention that people paid nothing to have their household refuse collected was outrageous, as PAYE workers paid "punitive amounts" of tax for public services, including refuse collection and waste disposal.

However, the chairman of South Dublin County Council, Mr Eamonn Walsh, said waste was an increasing problem which would have to be addressed sooner or later and he saw MCCK's report as a welcome first step in this process.

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"It is important that we all become more aware of the problems regarding waste management and the need to deal with them effectively," he said, adding that failure to do so would have disastrous effects on the quality of life in Dublin.