De Burca calls for Anti-Incineration Election pledge

Wicklow Green Party county councillor Deirdre de Burca has called upon fellow election candidates to sign an anti-incineration pledge. "People should clearly indicate their determination to ensure that incinerators are not forcibly foisted upon them and their children", she said.

De Burca: calling on candidates to sign pledge

"The people of Wicklow have received mixed messages from these politicians about the issue of incineration" says de Burca." Many have given the impression that they are opposed to an incinerator for Wicklow although their party policy is pro-incineration. I am calling on all General Election candidates in the county to sign an anti-incineration pledge. This will clarify the issue for members of the public".

The issue of incineration is particularly relevant to the Garden County as Wicklow's main landfill at Ballymurtagh, Avoca nears the end of its active live - years ahead of schedule. Incineration is one option for disposing of waste in the future and has been suggested as a part of Celtic Waste's plans for a new waste disposal facility at Ballynagran, near the Beehive on the N11.

Incineration is also a topical issue for residents of Redcross who have campaigned against a proposed animal incinerator in their area. Former county Manager Hubert Fitzpatrick, now a consultant for Celtic Waste, caused controversy by pushing through the application over the objections of a majority of councillors.