Ireland's private waste collectors have claimed the proposed incinerator at Poolbeg, in Dublin, is ill-conceived, grossly oversized and possibly illegal.
The claims are contained in a letter from the Irish Waste Management Association, which says its members are unlikely to ever use Poolbeg because they have enough capacity themselves.
The consortium given the contract to design, build and operate the controversial Poolbeg incinerator is Covanta-Dong Energy.
Now the body which represents nearly all private waste collectors says an independent analysis of waste projections proves the Poolbeg plant is grossly oversized.
In a letter to the consortium, Association Chair Jim Kells warns that private collectors are unlikely to ever use the Poolbeg plant because they have enough capacity at their own facilities.
Mr Kells suggested the contract with Dublin City Council also raises serious legal issues over competition.
A Department of Environment spokesman said Minister John Gormley shared the association's concerns over capacity and competition.
However Seamus Lyons of Dublin City Council said he was satisfied the Poolbeg plant is needed and he suggested private collectors appear to be wedded to landfill which was simply unsustainable.
