Republican News · Thursday 14 February 2002

Incinerator company granted recycling licence

Sinn Féin Councillor and general election candidate, Joe Reilly, has called on Meath County Council to explain the reason why it has granted a recycling franchise to Indaver, the company seeking planning permission for a waste incinerator. He also called on the council to explain why in granting the franchise to run the recycling centre in Mullaghboy, Navan, they have also agreed to financially reward the company.

He said: "It beggars belief that Meath County Council have agreed to pay Indaver €1.59 + VAT for every vehicle entering the recycling centre. Furthermore, Indaver will also receive from Meath County Council an additional €12,700 (£10,000) for the provision of signage, receptacles and other equipment. And on top of all this, Indaver will not have to pay any annual rates as Meath County Council has agreed to cover the cost of the rates.

"But most importantly, Indaver are an incinerator company first and foremost. There is a conflict of interest in giving them a recycling franchise.

He called on the council to explain why the details of this agreement were not put before councillors at the council meeting of 3 February and why taxpayers were being expected to subsidise a multinational company.

Reilly concluded: "Not only has a recycling centre built with public money been privatised but the company presented with the facility has also been financially awarded with public money."