Sinn Féin has dismissed as "childish and narrow minded" claims that its recent full-page ads in newspapers in Drogheda seeking support for its anti-incineration policy are undermining existing support for the non-political No Incineration Alliance (NIA).
The alliance was formed to oppose an incinerator at Carranstown, Co Meath, just outside Drogheda.
"Ownership of this campaign is with everybody in the entire area and is not with Sinn Féin alone or NIA alone or with the Greens; everybody needs to come on board and get the issue placed significantly on to the political agenda," said Mr Arthur Morgan TD of Sinn Féin.
He was responding to claims by Mr Michael McKeon, a member of NIA and the Green party, that the ads would damage the battle against incineration and harm the fund-raising ability of the local community group. The full-page ads detail Drogheda Sinn Féin's history of opposition to incineration as well as criticising Fianna Fáil and the lack of Drogheda recycling facilities. The ads refer to the 4,500 individual objections, which were lodged during the planning process and a petition which 26,000 people signed asking for the plant not to be granted planning permission.
However, the petition was organised by a non-politically aligned group and while Mr McKeon recognises Sinn Féin's opposition to incineration, he says "the adverts will do more harm than good and indirectly help Indaver Ireland build their incinerator by destabilising the local community group."
Earlier this month, An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the facility, rejecting the finding of the inspector it had appointed to hold the oral hearing into objections who recommended that permission not be granted.
Mr Morgan replied: "I call on Labour, the Socialist Workers' Party and indeed every political organisation to do something to raise this campaign, I have tried twice to raise it in the Dáil."
The NIA is an umbrella group of local groups and individuals opposed to incineration.