THE £113 million incinerator proposed for Co Dublin would damage the local economy because of industrial concerns over clean air, according to the Green Party.
Mr Trevor Sargent TD said the economic life of the area around the plant "will be devastated because clean industry will not go near an area where the air quality is suspect".
He accused the Minister of State for Transport, Energy and Communications, Mr Emmet Stagg, of fudging the description of the facility, and said he should "call a spade a spade".
The plan was announced as a "waste to energy" facility which will contribute electricity to the national grid, and the plant would be a disincentive to minimising waste by reusing and recycling, "as the plant requires large quantities of waste in order to work efficiently", Mr Sargent said.
The Cathaoirleach of Fingal County Council, Ms Anne Devitt, said the 7,500 existing and promised jobs in multinationals in the area could be threatened by the proposal. She said the decision was "premature and ill conceived" and that Mr Stagg had not consulted the councillors or their planning department.
The location of the project would be in conflict with the council's "commitment to provide clean air for our citizens", she said. "We are all aware of the concerns in Co Clare in relation to emissions in Moneypoint and industrialists and residents in Blanchardstown are now equally worried about this proposal."
Ms Liz O'Donnell, the Progressive Democrats TD, said the Government should be open about the technology behind the incinerator, proposed for a site at Goddamendy, Blanchardstown.
Mr Stagg should "facilitate a calm and logical debate on all aspects of the proposed installation", she added.