Fine Gael has criticised the Republic's Environment Minister's handling of the review into the contentious Poolbeg Incinerator project, following the issuing of a commencement notice.

Dublin South East deputy Lucinda Creighton said John Gormley failed to act in time, suggesting a review is pointless now work has began.

"He has been out-manoeuvred yet again on this, and is left looking like the Minister for futile posturing and empty gestures," she said.

Deputy Creighton said Mr Gormley conceded earlier this week that he was yet to appoint someone to review the project.

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She accused the Minister of taking no action to prevent work commencing, effectively giving the project developers the time and legal space to start construction.

"Minister Gormley has always been behind the game on this one, and it looks like he has been too slow to act yet again. This review is too little too late," said the FG Deputy.

"After he came to power on the basis of a huge anti-incinerator vote, the Minister told us again and again that unfortunately there was little he could do because his hands were tied.

"In a few months time the Minister will probably be telling us that he still wants to stop the incinerator being built, but he can't because construction work has started."

Ms Creighton called on Dublin City Council and Dublin Waste to Energy Ltd to cease all construction on the site.

She added: "The Minister's failure should not be reason enough for this unnecessary and unwanted project to go ahead."

(PR/BMcC)