Incineration no longer Government policy, says Environment Minister
Issued: 26 August 2007
Statement by John Gormley - Spokesperson on Environment, Heritage and Local Government; Northern Ireland

Green Leader speaks about waste, incineration and climate change at the Festival of World Cultures 'CoolEarth Fair'

John Gormley TD, Minister for the Environment and Green Party Leader, spoke about climate change, waste policy and incineration during an address to the CoolEarth Fair at the Festival of World Cultures in Dún Laoghaire on Saturday (26 August 2007).

In highlighting Government policy on waste management Minister Gormley said: "Incineration is no longer the cornerstone of our waste management policy. This Government has a different approach to waste management. We believe the waste hierarchy is paramount. Real emphasis has to be placed on reduction, reuse, and recycling first. Let us be clear: we do not see incineration or thermal treatment as a form of recovery, it is a form of disposal.

"This Government has also set out clearly in its programme a more sustainable approach to the financing of waste projects. So-called 'put or pay' clauses, which guarantee a waste stream to incinerator firms are now out of the equation, as are waste permits (that can be used to direct waste to certain types of facilities) which perform a similar unsustainable function.

"This new approach will undoubtedly have an impact on planning. In the past we have seen An Bord Pleanála overruling the recommendations of its own inspectors on the basis that incineration was Government policy. This is no longer the case. Good planning and the waste hierarchy must take precedence," concluded Minister Gormley.