Ballyduffbeg landfill decision deferred

THE future of the landfill service at the Ballyduffbeg Waste Facility in Inagh remains unresolved following a discussion at Monday’s October meeting of Clare County Council.
Councillor Michael Hillery proposed that following the recommendation from the Environment SPC and the council’s environment department, landfill would stop at the facility and that Ballyduffbeg would not accept landfill waste after phase 3 of the development is filled.
This proposal was seconded by Councillor Joe Arkins who said, “There was only one option [open to the council] to cease the landfill after Phase 3 has been filled”.
However, a contrary proposal was put forward by Councillor PJ Kelly, who said he has “a small problem with the figure of €4 million” and asked the council to “shop around”.
“I’m expressing concern. I did propose that we defer the matter until all those figures are substantiated by a competitive tender process. I’m advising caution on this,” he said.
Councillor Patricia McCarthy sought clarification as to whether legal advice needs to be sought to see if there is a legal requirement on the council to provide landfill in the county. She stated the report circulated to members mentioned that “Limerick was looking at doing away with their landfill and equally we have to commit to providing landfill”.
She felt that greater scrutiny of the report is needed and while she appreciated the work done by the SPC, she said there is a need to look at the implications involved.
She referred to the report issued to members from the environment section of Clare County Council where it was stated, “Other local authorities, including Limerick County Council have started to investigate alternative methods of waste management”.
In the report on this issue it was advised that “given the present market conditions and the significant costs involved in a tendering process, it may be more prudent to delay any decision on the medium to long-term options until the market situation becomes clearer”.
Councillor McCarthy also called for a special meeting to be set to discuss the matter.
Meanwhile, Councillor Tommy Brennan said he does not believe it would cost €4m to continue with the expansion of the development into the next phase.
He claimed if the landfill facility is sold privately “it would be running for years to come”. He stressed he would not support the closure of the landfill facility.
The matter has been deferred for a full members meeting.