As Ireland faces possible prosecution today at the European Court for failure to comply with EU waste management directives, a move is under way in Cork to force the adoption of a waste management plan for the city that would not include thermal treatment. There has been growing pressure on local authorities throughout the State to adopt waste management plans in line with EU directives. However, since the mid-1990s, successive deadlines have been missed, and Ireland faces the prospect of defending an action against the EU Commission.
Of the 34 local authorities, Cork City, Galway, Louth and Longford have not produced waste management plans. The opening of today's action in Luxembourg will add further pressure on authorities to implement both the EU and national directives.
Last week, the Government adopted a national strategy for hazardous waste prepared by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It identifies thermal treatment as an option for dealing with Ireland's waste. By the end of next week, the President will have signed into law a Bill empowering local authorities to make a waste plan themselves if elected members fail to do so. Before that the Green Party in Cork is to table a motion at Cork Corporation seeking support for the adoption of a waste management plan which has been dormant since last August. According to Mr Dan Boyle, who will table the motion on July 20th, it will seek to remove any reference to thermal treatment from the plan.
The Greens are concerned that Cork city manager, Mr Joe Gavin, is moving towards thermal treatment as part of a new approach to waste. If it goes ahead, there would be health implications while the emphasis on reducing and recycling waste would be diminished.
The motion has been seconded by Independent councillor Mr Con O'Leary and Sinn Fein's Mr Jonathan O'Brien.