Minister Urges Second Thought On Poolbeg Incinerator

The Environment Minister has called on Dublin City Council to reconsider its approval for a controversial waste incinerator plant in Poolbeg.

The council has already granted planning permission, for what is dubbed one of Europe's largest urban incinerators.

Minister John Gormley supported local residents and politicians who had raised objections to the plans.

Earlier today, the Environment Protection Agency granted the city council a licence to proceed with the construction of the plant.


However, Mr Gormley warned it would be unwise to proceed with the scheme before the completion of studies into Ireland's waste infrastructure.

More than 216 conditions were attached to the EPA's decision to grant the licence, but the agency denied the incinerator would endanger human health or harm the environment.

EPA held an oral hearing into the plant in April.

"Arising from the recommendations in the Chairperson's report, the licence has been strengthened to take account of concerns expressed at the oral hearing," an EPA spokesperson said.

"The EPA is satisfied that operation of the facility, in accordance with the conditions of the licence, will not endanger human health or harm the environment in the vicinity of the facility or over a wider area," she added.

Anyone opposed to the EPA's decision has two months to seek a judicial review in the High Court.

(PR/JM)