With planning decisions for commercial incinerators imminent IBEC today came out in favour of implementing a national waste strategy with the controversial disposal technology at its core.
The employers' group said, following an examination of modern incineration technology and regulations for its use, this method of waste disposal "carries no significant risk to public health or the environment".
In a statement today, IBEC's environment policy chairman, Mr Jim Kileen today said there had been a failure to convey the facts about this technology to the public. He was critical too of anti-incineration campaigners who, he claimed, "regularly played on people's fears and exaggerated the risks associated with incineration.
Mr Kileen's comments come as thermal treatment plants planned for Meath, Cork and Tipperary await planning approval. If planning authorities bow to opposition and refuse permission, the case for municipal incineration in general could be fatally undermined. Alternatively if they are approved the fight to keep them out of other areas will be undermined.
Indaver Ireland, whose parent company operates integrated waste-management facilities in Belgium, has made two of the planning applications.
It plans to construct a municipal waste-incinerator to serve the north-east and is awaiting a decision from An Bord Pleanála, which received two dozen appeals from groups and individuals.
The company's second plan is to build a hazardous waste-incinerator in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.
National By-Products has proposed building an incinerator for the disposal of animal waste near Rosegreen Co Tipperary.
This has been opposed in the High Court by racehorse trainer Mr Aidan O'Brien and Mr John Magnier's Coolmore Stud. They are seeking a judicial review of South Tipperary County Council's decision to grant planning permission for the proposed incinerator.
Today, Mr Kileen said Ireland requires a realistic mix of waste prevention, reduction, recycling, incineration and residual landfill. Continuing to landfill 90 per cent of waste in the State as happens at the moment is unsustainable, according to Mr Kileen.
Incineration would reduce the volume by 90 per cent, produce energy and reduce reliance on landfill waste disposal, IBEC claims. Mr Kileen stressed that including incineration in a waste management strategy does not mean a lack of commitment to recycling.