Poolbeg contract extension a ‘major financial risk’

ENVIRONMENT Minister John Gormley has warned that Dublin City Council’s decision to extend the multi-million euro contract for the Poolbeg incinerator, which has already cost at least €120 million, poses a “very significant” financial risk to the taxpayer and the state.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner after it emerged the local authority had extended the review period of the controversial contract, which ran out on Sunday, until May 2 next year, the senior cabinet member’s spokesperson said the move was not in the interests of the public.

Under the initial 2007 contract for the Poolbeg incinerator development, private consortium Covanta was given planning permission to build a disposal facility in south Dublin to cater for 600,000 tonnes of waste, with the majority of this coming from the Dublin City Council population.