Collapse of Poolbeg incinerator no thanks to PDs
– McDowell’s ‘victory for local democracy’ statement is utterly hypocritical
Green Party Chairman John Gormley TD welcomed the collapse of the Government’s plans today to build a massive incinerator in Poolbeg in Dublin. The TD for Dublin South East, who has opposed the incinerator since the outset, said the Government parties had tried to force through the project against the wishes of the local community.
“This is great news for local residents who have campaigned vigorously, alongside the Green Party, on this issue. On two occasions the Green Party has used its private members time in Dáil Éireann to force a vote on the hugely unwelcome incinerator. On both occasions the PDs and Fianna Fail voted down our motions, which would have prevented this project from going ahead.
“We hope now that the proposal is dead in the water, and that it will not be resurrected after the election. Opinion polls in the area have indicated very clearly that the Government parties are suffering as a result of their support for the proposed incinerator.
“One has to ask the question, as to how this information was leaked to Michael McDowell, the Tánaiste. It was, after all, McDowell who stated that the current proposal would not be taken under fast-track legislation but rather under the existing legislation. Enquires from this office showed that no official representation had been made on this matter, but was rather pursued on a nod and a wink basis.
“Our genuine fear is that this politically sensitive issue will be shelved very conveniently until after the election and then fast-tracked. The Green Party will continue to be vigilant on this issue,” concluded Deputy Gormley.
“From information just received, it would now appear that neither Bord Pleanála nor Dublin City Council were in the loop in relation to this decision. The fact that Minister McDowell has made this announcement would suggest that this is a Government decision which, under the circumstances, must be viewed with a degree of scepticism.
“Michael McDowell’s statement that this is a victory for local democracy is utterly hypocritical, given that this Government removed from councillors the power to make a waste management plan for Dublin city. Again we repeat our concern that this is motivated by political considerations and poor opinion poll ratings in Dublin South East for Government parties and in particular the Tánaiste, and that a U-Turn on the issue is possible after the election, if the PDs and Fianna Fail get back in.