Cullen plans to fast-track building of incinerators

ENVIRONMENT Minister Martin Cullen plans to fast-track the construction of municipal waste incinerators around the country by the end of the Government’s term in 2007.

Mr Cullen aims to introduce the incinerators under the proposed National Infrastructure Board (NIB). Seven incinerators are planned under regional waste management strategies but those that have reached the planning stages have become bogged down in the planning process because of fierce local objections.

Department sources confirmed to the Irish Examiner yesterday that the minister’s view of Ireland’s growing waste management problem was “realistic” and that urgent action was need to replace municipal land-fills, most of which will have reached capacity by 2006.