Call to probe incinerator project
Work on the controversial Poolbeg incinerator should be stopped until a thorough examination of the project is carried out, a leading industry body has claimed.
The Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA) said the contract between Dublin City Council and Covanta Energy Ltd must be investigated, as well as the size of the facility and the amount of money spent so far.
The IWMA also raised serious concerns over an independent study which last week backed the scheme and argued there was enough rubbish in Dublin to make the burner viable.
It said the Economic and Social Research Institute had since acknowledged there were significant errors in the report that would have to be corrected.
The IWMA's Brendan Keane said: "Put simply, Poolbeg must be stopped and examined before any further mistakes are made."
The waste-to-energy incinerator, which is designed to burn 600,000 tonnes of rubbish a year, was granted planning permission in 2007.
Fears over the viability of the plant were raised when Covanta admitted it may import waste from outside the capital to ensure the scheme was workable.
Environment Minister John Gormley - who opposes the size of the incinerator - has already ordered a second review into the contract over the plant.
He has repeatedly called for capacity to be halved and said he is open to discussions with council chiefs.
Press Association
