Construction of the controversial 600,000 tonne incinerator in Dublin's Poolbeg began today amid protests from the local community.
The €350 million project is expected to employ up to 500 people on site at peak construction and approximately 60 others in permanent jobs at the plant when it opens.
Dublin City Council said the plant is part of “a long term integrated plan for the management of the city’s waste” and will generate heat and electricity from up to 600,000 tonnes of waste that would otherwise go to landfill, generating enough electricity for up to 50,000 homes as well as district heating potential for the equivalent of up to an additional 60,000 homes.
However, residents have planned a protest this evening against the facility at Seán Moore Road which leads to the plant.
Labour councillor Kevin Humphreys said the “costly, foolish” project continued to be opposed by all local public representatives, including Minister for the Environment John Gormley.
The Irish Waste Management Association said the council was “amazingly arrogant” in pressing ahead with the facility.