Madam, - The proposed incinerator in Poolbeg - because of Department of the Environment approval and a framework contract being signed with the proposed operator - is moving to the planning stage. This gives the public the opportunity to fight the proposed location for the incinerator directly through the planning process. This is not a final go-ahead for an incinerator in Poolbeg; rather it is just the beginning of the next stage in the battle.
You report that John Gormley TD's reaction was to attack Michael McDowell TD. Both Michael McDowell and myself are totally opposed to this incinerator on the Poolbeg peninsula, as it is the wrong thing in the wrong place. Poolbeg has poor access and is not suitable for any such large facility. The traffic implications alone of bringing 500,000 tonnes of waste per annum into the area, burning it and then moving over 100,000 tonnes out to landfill in Fingal are enormous.
John Gormley appears to be more focused on his opposition in the next general election than on opposition to an incinerator in Poolbeg. Purely to oppose incineration anywhere gives a very handy weapon to the city manager to say that it is he who must deal with the waste problem. John, the issue is location, location, location.
I am asking all public representatives to concentrate on the issues, not spend time kicking political footballs which will distract the campaign against this illogical proposal. - Yours, etc,
Cllr WENDY HEDERMAN (PD), City Hall, Dublin 2.