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

Doolan-Minister must stop imposing incinerators on our communities

Published: 11 November, 2004

Sinn Féin Representative for Dublin South East, Councillor Daithí Doolan today called on the Minister for the Environment Dick Roche, "to stop imposing incinerators on our communities and to start focusing on reducing, reusing and recycling".

Speaking in Dublin this morning Councillor Doolan said:
"No one doubts that we face a growing waste management crisis. But so far consecutive governments have only offered us the burn or bury options, neither of which are acceptable to the communities in which they are imposed. These policies are laying siege to certain communities in Cork, Meath and here in Dublin. The Minister needs to stop imposing incinerators on our communities and to start focusing on reducing, reusing and recycling.

"Sinn Féin clearly rejects both these options as short term, profit motivated, unworkable solutions. To address the waste management crisis Minister Dick Roche must ensure that the focus of funding in the forthcoming budget must be on reducing, reusing and recycling of waste. It is time to stop viewing waste as something that must be burned or buried at the cheapest price and to start viewing it as a resource from which we can create jobs through community based recycling projects.

"Waste management problems are not confined to the twenty-six counties but are also causing major problems in the six counties. Illegal dumping along the border is causing major environmental and health problems. These issues clearly affect everybody on the Island and need an all Ireland solution. As the only all Ireland party Sinn Féin will be hosting a national conference in Ringsend this Saturday to address these very issues and to compile a comprehensive all Ireland waste management policy." ENDS