The granting of planning permission for State's third waste incinerator today has generated fierce criticism - most of it aimed at Green Party Minister for the Environment, John Gormley.
The Minister's own party expressed dismay with Senator Dan Boyle saying the decision contradicted party policy and the recent statements of Mr Gormley who is also party leader.
"The decision to grant planning permission today is a marriage of 1980s thinking with 1990s technology for a 21st century problem.
"Today's decision gives scant regard to the emerging environmentally-friendly technologies in the waste management sector," he said.
An Bord Pleanala granted permission for the massive plant on Dublin's Poolbeg peninsula to burn up to 600,000 tonnes of rubbish a year, 100,000 more than its inspectors recommended.
It's defenders note that not only will waste otherwise set for landfill be disposed of, but power for nearly 50,000 homes and heat for around 60,000 households will be generated simultaneously.
Planners said the plant would not be a health hazard, visually out of character or harm future development. They also said it would not adversely affect nearby natural habitats.
A 10-strong community liaison committee will also be set up to hear issues raised by local residents.
Opponents of the scheme Combined Residents Against Incineration, supported by several thousand local people, tonight insisted they would fight the decision.
"There's no question at all we are going to fight on. In a sense it is a kick in the face for the local community which will be very disappointed with this result," Rory Hearne of the People Before Profit Alliance said.
He urged Mr Gormley, who opposed the scheme in Ringsend when in opposition, to intervene.
The Green TD was a fierce opponent of the Poolbeg incinerator which will sit on the edge of his Dublin South-East constituency.
Former Labour Party leader and TD in the constituency Ruairi Quinn accused Mr Gormley of betraying his constituents and Green Party members.
Fianna Fáil and Minister John Gormley have failed the nation, the city and the people who placed their electoral trust in John Gormley himself," Mr Quinn said.
Lucinda Creighton, Fine Gael TD for the area, said the incinerator will be a disaster and said the Minister must use his power to stop the plant.
It will be a disaster for traffic, a disaster for health, a disaster for the environment. Its size will be a blight on the Dublin landscape. I am angered and hurt for the local communities," Ms Creighton said.
Sinn Fein councillor Daithí Doolin sounded a rally cry for opponents saying local people would be angry but not beaten.
"Those of us still committed to winning the campaign must now redouble our efforts and ensure that the Environmental Protection Agency does not grant a license to the plant," Mr Doolin said.