The Tánaiste and the leader of the Progressive Democrats, Mary Harney, has said her party is aiming to double its number of councillors in this year's local elections.
Ms Harney told RTÉ's This Week programme that the PDs hoped to replicate their national success at a local level, to secure the roots of the party.
She also backed the decision last week by An Bord Pleanála to give planning permission to the country's first commercial toxic waste incinerator at Ringaskiddy in Co Cork.
Ms Harney said the planning process was independent but the decision to give the Indaver Ireland project the go-ahead was consistent with government policy on waste disposal.
