by Alan Jacques
THE resignation of Council chief executive Conn Murray has been called for in relation to the controversial deal for a proposed gasification plant in West Limerick.
US company Cadence EnviroPower (CEP) are proposing to convert 1,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste a day into syngas at the former Gortadroma landfill site in Ballyhahill. The deal, estimated to be worth €190 million to the local authority over 30 years, was agreed last June despite overwhelming local opposition.
Senator James Heffernan has now accused Mr Murray of handling the debacle in a “despicable manner” and now wants him to step down. He has urged all Council representatives to table and support a motion of no confidence.
The Social Democrats’ General Election candidate for County Limerick is also calling for a boycott of the local authority until the contract with Cadence EnviroPower (CEP), the company behind the proposed gasification plant in Gortadroma, is quashed.
“It’s now time that all councillors take back the power the public gave them when they were first elected. The only decent thing to do now is to boycott the council, stop this plant going for planning permission and protect the local people,” said Senator Heffernan after a public meeting in Shanagolden last week.
“Here we are in election week and some representatives are out knocking on doors and canvassing for a seat in the Dáil from the very same people they sold out for Yankee Dollars. They need to do the right thing not because people will vote for them on Friday but because they have already.
“I am also calling for Conn Murray’s resignation. He has acted in the most despicable manner and has put hundreds of families and numerous communities in danger,” he concluded.
In response, Limerick City and County Council said it is disappointed that Senator Heffernan has not made any contact with the Council to acquaint himself with the facts of the situation.
“Nor has the Council received any representations from the Senator on behalf of the residents of West Limerick. The Council is happy to provide the attached report submitted to councillors last week for Senator Heffernan’s attention so he may acquaint himself with the facts of this case.”
