Dublin South East Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Anti-Incinerator Protest Massive Success

Published: 13 February, 2004

Sinn Féin held a large protest on the East Link Bridge at rush hour this evening to highlight the level of opposition to incineration.

Sinn Féin Spokesperson Daithí Doolan who has been leading Sinn Féin's campaign against the proposed incinerator for the Poolbeg Peninsula in Ringsend outlined the significance of the protest; "The level of support we have been getting during the campaign, as evidenced here at this protest has made us more determined than ever to stop the City Council's plan for an incinerator here in Ringsend or anywhere in Dublin.

This community and indeed people right across Dublin are genuinely concerned about the hazardous effects of incineration. We are campaigning against a government plan that aims to threaten both our health and environment. We are promoting real and credible alternatives to this government's proposals.

We have canvassed, postered and protested on the streets. We will also be launching a 'Waste Management Charter' on February 17th at 11am in the Earl of Kildare on Kildare Street. This Waste Management Charter outlines our commitment to implement a Zero Waste Strategy based on reducing, reusing and recycling and not incineration here in Ringsend or indeed anywhere in Dublin.

Zero Waste is a strategy employed in other parts of the world. We will be calling on all political parties to support this Charter. This Charter will show how we can achieve a Zero Waste Strategy for this city as has been achieved in other parts of the world. This is where the real solution lies.

The battle against incineration will not end. The real solutions are out there and we have the political will to implement them. And we hope others will join with us to make Zero Waste a reality for all."

Sinn Féin environmental spokesperson Willie Clarke MLA for South Down spoke to the crowd of several hundred pointing out that governments across Europe and around the world over are moving to close down incinerators.

"People all around the world are opposed to incinerators. I do not want to see an incinerator in Dublin, in South Down or in any part of Ireland. The dangerous effects of incineration recognise no borders. This is an all-Ireland issue. To tackle the waste crisis that we face we need to deal with the problem at source.

Sinn Féin is promoting policies that aim to reduce the waste we produce, reuse where appropriate and we want state investment in our fledgling recycling industry. These are practicable, workable alternatives to the current government's two item agenda of landfill or incineration.

Sinn Féin is committed to a sustainable waste management plan, not one based on increased consumption and incineration but on the reduction, reusing and recycling of waste. We cannot continue to burn or bury our waste. We must explore other alternatives."

Mr. Clarke concluded by calling on the Minister for Environment and City Council to listen to the wishes of ordinary people, "The bureaucrats need to listen to communities that will be most effected by their plans. Dublin City Council and the government should not ignore today's protest. This is ordinary people voicing their opposition to this hazardous incinerator."

Dublin Sinn Féin's Candidate for Europe, Mary Lou McDonald, commented on the fact that the dangers of this incinerator are in no way confined to Ringsend; "The effects from this type of incinerator are well documented. Every person within 40 kilometres will be affected. The East Link links the north side and south side of Dublin. This protest is an attempt to highlight that this incinerator will have health and environment implications for the whole city. This is not an issue restricted to this local area.

It is important that we show the government that the people in Dublin oppose this hazardous incinerator. People feel that their health needs have been disregarded in the name of a fundamentally flawed waste management plan. Fundamentally flawed because we all know that this proposed incinerator will do nothing to alleviate the impending waste crisis faced by our city. The crisis is real, but the only way we can tackle it is by dealing with the causes and offering solutions. In this way we can avoid the creation of waste and actually remove the need for any incinerator. The incinerator in Ringsend will only contribute to the current problem and also add it's own problems. We are campaigning to protect our future and our environment. We are promoting real and workable solutions.

McDonald called on both the government and City Council to ''Reverse their plans for an incinerator for the Poolbeg Peninsula in Ringsend. The incinerator will be a disaster for Dublin on many levels including our health and environment.