PDs deny split over incinerator

THE Progressive Democrats insisted yesterday there was no Cabinet split between Tánaiste Mary Harney and Justice Minister Michael McDowell on the Government’s incineration policy.

Ms Harney backed the Bord Pleanála decision to give the go-ahead to Indaver’s €95 million toxic waste incinerator in Cork harbour.

The Progressive Democrat leader said incineration was Government policy and there was no other way of dealing with toxic waste in many instances. There will always be opponents to incineration and, if protesters offered an alternative, Government would consider it.

“We have to, in this country, take responsibility for our own affairs whether it is in waste or infrastructure, but, of course, some people will from time to time take an opposing view to that,” Ms Harney told RTÉ.

Her PD Cabinet colleague, Justice Minister Michael McDowell, has stated his opposition to an incinerator in his Dublin South constituency and said he would oppose incineration being included in the National Infrastructure Board remit, according to Green Party deputy Dan Boyle.

“The Progressive Democrats are all over the place on their incineration policy and there is a definite split between their two Cabinet ministers.”

A Progressive Democrats spokesman rejected this.

“No, there is no conflict, both our ministers support Government policy on incineration. Minister McDowell has indicated in the past that he is not in favour of an incinerator in Ringsend and he will make his views known, but in the end he will abide by a Government decision”.

Fine Gael’s Environment spokesman Bernard Allen accused the Government of using An Bord Pleanála to drive through an incineration programme throughout Ireland.

He called for a review of its operation and the setting up of an independent appeals board. A Government spokesman rejected this claim, saying an Bord Pleanála was an independent statutory body.

Meanwhile, Environment Minister Martin Cullen yesterday launched the environmental programme of Ireland's EU presidency. “Clean economics, where the environmental and economic agendas work hand in hand is central to the prosperity of Ireland and Europe,” said Mr Cullen.

Tomorrow the minister will outline Ireland’s environmental programme to the European Parliament.