Labour TD Kevin Humpreys is calling for Dublin City Council to exercise the break clause in the contract for the Poolbeg Incinerator with Covanta.

It has cost the taxpayer over €80 million to date.

Mr Humphreys said: "When the deadline of February 29th passed, council management stated that the final extension was to allow regulatory issues to be finalised and give Covanta time to have project funding in place by August 31st.

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"These conditions have not been met; and according to recent media reports Covanta has not secured investment to allow it to start construction by November. Further, it has been clarified that Government will not bring forward legislation which have allowed local authorities to dictate the final destination of waste collected by private operators. This means the 600,000 tonne incinerator would not get the waste it needs and the put or pay clause would be activated, costing the taxpayer up to €120 million.

"I call on the City Manager to consign the Poolbeg Incinerator to the dust-bin with other failed Celtic Tiger projects and remove this albatross that is hanging over the recycling sector. It is time to redouble our efforts to expand the recycling sector and be proactive in reduction of waste."

(CD/GK)