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

Doolan to attend National Waste Summit

Published: 28 September, 2004

Sinn Féin representative for Dublin South East, Councillor Daithí Doolan, speaking ahead of today's National Waste Summit in Croke Park, has indicated he will be taking the opportunity to ensure that the debate focuses on tackling the real issues in waste management.

Councillor Doolan said:
"I will be raising the issue of the recent rezoning of the Poolbeg Peninsula with Minister for Environment Martin Cullen, and will be pressing for his support to not allow unelected officials to overturn the vote of democratically elected councilors here in Dublin.

"Nobody doubts that we face an unprecedented waste crisis in this city and across this island of ours. But to simply continue to burn and bury is not an option. We must deal with waste in an integrated, holistic way. Sinn Féin have provided such a strategy, A  Zero Waste Strategy for the Dublin Region, one that is based on reducing the demand to produce and consume waste, reuse where appropriate and the investment in our fledgling recycling industry. To simply build incineration into any waste management plan contradicts what we aim to do. Zero Waste is a strategy that goes to the source of our waste crisis rather than becoming dependant on landfill or incineration.  Incineration is certainly not part of the solution, it will only force us to produce and consume more waste."

An anti incineration protest to coincide with the Minister for Environment's address will be held at 12.30pm outside Croke Park.

Cllr. Doolan concluded by calling on Minister Cullen to" use this opportunity to listen and learn and to move away from a simplistic pro incineration position and adopt a more realistic zero waste strategy. "  ENDS