Gormley joins anti-incineration protests against burn-happy Roche
Green Party Chairman and TD for Dublin South East John Gormley will join anti-incineration campaigners in protest against Environment Minister Dick Roche’s attendance at a pro-incineration conference in Dublin at 12.30pm today. Minister Roche will deliver the keynote address at the conference, titled ‘Energy from Waste in Ireland’, which is taking place at the Radisson Hotel in Stillorgan.
“The Minister’s attendance is yet another demonstration of the enthusiasm with which this Government promotes incineration over more sustainable waste management solutions,” said Deputy Gormley. “In Dublin South East, Minister Michael McDowell is still trying to tell us that the proposed incinerator at Poolbeg is not part of Government policy. Minister Roche’s speech today once again demonstrates the opposite.
“This is a gathering of many of the key promoters of incineration in Ireland. In that context the Minister’s presence is entirely appropriate.
“The title of this conference is particularly telling – Energy from Waste in Ireland – assessing the best use of a reliable resource. The incineration sector know that they can rely on ever increasing volumes of waste for as long as this government is in power and refuses to seriously address waste prevention and minimisation. They also have a ‘reliable resource’ in the Minister, who can be called upon to energetically support their cause at every opportunity,” concluded Mr Gormley.
The deadline for public submissions to An Bord Pleanála on the proposed incinerator at Poolbeg is Monday 2 October 2006 . The Green Party will hold a public meeting on the topic of opposing the incinerator through the planning process on Thursday, 21 September 2006 at 8pm in Clanna Gael Fontenoy clubhouse, Sean Moore Park.