Minister for the Environment Éamon Ó Cuív has criticised his predecessor, John Gormley, for publishing parts of a report into the financial viability of the proposed incinerator at Poolbeg.
The report by commercial law expert, John Hennessy SC, concluded that the Poolbeg incinerator could incur more than €350m in penalties over its lifetime.
Dublin City Council has strongly disagreed with the report, part of which was published by Mr Gormley earlier this week.
In a statement this evening, Mr Ó Cuív said it was ‘very regrettable’ that elements of the report ended-up in the public domain when it was still being considered by Government.
He added that Mr Gormley had been aware from the legal advice he received as minister, that the report was a matter for Government and related to commercial confidentiality issues.
Minister Ó Cuív said he has sought further legal advice and, while it is not possible to publish the report immediately, he is ‘anxious’ that it is fully considered as soon as possible.
Extracts of the previously unpublished Hennessy report contended it would be extremely difficult for Dublin City Council to secure enough waste specified in the contract with the operator, Covanta.
Council spokeswoman Elizabeth Arnett said the question of the plant incurring €350m in penalties was a ‘hypothetical situation which simply was not going to happen’.
Meanwhile, the Irish Waste Management Association, which represents most private waste collectors, has reiterated its call for the Hennessy report to be released in full and without any further delay.
Spokesman Brendan Keane said his association had consistently warned that the taxpayer is at real risk through the bad deal agreed between Dublin City Council and Covanta and Dong Energy.
He said: ‘With a maximum potential loss to the taxpayer of €350m flagged earlier this week, it is essential that the full details of this report are put into the public domain.
‘The IWMA also welcomes the commitment from Fine Gael, if in Government after the upcoming election, to fully review the proposed incinerator.
‘What is proposed at Poolbeg is a phenomenally bad deal for the taxpayer, the consumer and the waste sector and we welcome any and all scrutiny of this project.’
