[Sinn Fein]

25 July 2000

Government waste strategy in total disarray - Sinn Fein TD

The Government's waste management strategy is in total disarray, according to Sinn Fein TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin. Deputy Ó Caoláin was responding to the decision of Galway Corporation to reject incineration.

Deputy Ó Caoláin and his five Sinn Fein colleagues on Monaghan County Council last week secured significant amendments to the Draft Waste Management Plan for the North-East Region, incorporating Cavan, Louth, Meath and Monaghan. Sinn Fein amendments adopted by the Council include a requirement for local authorities to collect segregated waste from ALL households in the region. The original plan provided for collection only >from households in towns of over 500 population.

Welcoming the Galway decision, Deputy O Caoláin said:

``The vote against incineration in Galway strikes a blow against the so-called thermal option in the Connacht Waste Management Plan. Louth County Council is among a number of local authorities which has already deferred a decision because of concerns over incineration. In Monaghan even those who voted for adoption of the Plan showed reservations about an incinerator in this region.

``The key amendments to the plan for the North-East proposed by Sinn Fein and adopted by Monaghan County Council expose the inadequacy of the government's waste management strategy. The extension of door-to-door collection of segregated waste to all homes points the way to a better Plan which will reduce, reuse and recycle waste. Such a Plan would not rely on incinerators to which we are opposed.

``It is clear from all these developments that the Government's waste management strategy is in total disarray. Their plan to build a network of incinerators throughout the 26 Counties is meeting a wall of public opposition. It is time for the government to go back to the drawing board and to heed the words of the EU Director of Waste Management Ludwig Kramer who said at a Conference in June of last year: `Those countries which are in the process of drafting their planning should not base it upon incineration.'''

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