Unionists’ health stand lauded by SF

UNIONISTS care more about the health threats posed to people in this country by incinerators than the Government, according to Sinn Féin.

Sinn Féin environment spokesman Arthur Morgan commended a number of unionist politicians for their recent objections to the proposed incinerator in the Boyne Valley in Co Meath, due to its proximity to the Battle of the Boyne site.

At the launch of Dublin Sinn Féin’s waste management discussion document, Mr Morgan said the unionists seemed to be more concerned with the health and wellbeing of people in Louth and Meath than Environment Minister Martin Cullen.

Pointing out that the Battle of the Boyne area was a recognised heritage site, Sinn Féin Dublin City Council candidate Daithí Doolan warmly welcomed the unionist stance. “We now see the unionists being more progressive than the Dublin Government on this issue,” he said.

Sinn Féin wants to see the introduction of a zero waste strategy that prioritises the reduction, reuse and recycling of waste.

In its Waste Management Charter, Sinn Féin says there is a real waste management crisis as landfill sites are overflowing and illegal dumping is widespread.

“Instead of a comprehensive and effective waste management system being implemented across the island, we have seen plans for a network of incinerators as the primary response to this crisis,” the policy document says.

Sinn Féin wants an all-Ireland strategy to combat waste and pollution and wants other groups to sign up to their charter.

As household waste accounts for less than 10% of all solid waste, Sinn Féin wants the abolition of local authority refuse charges which penalise the householder and the reversal of the privatisation of local authority refuse services.

It also wants the establishment of a waste agency to be responsible for the planning, financing and implementation of an all-Ireland waste management strategy, including an island-wide drive to research and establish markets for reclaimed materials.