23 July 2009
MINISTER SARGENT CALLS FOR RENEWED FUNDING FOR BALBRIGGAN RECYCLING CENTRE
Minister for Food and Horticulture Trevor Sargent TD, has confirmed that he is still in touch with all the stakeholders regarding the termination of the Council’s subsidy to FMW Recycling Centre in Balbriggan. Seeking a resolution to the funding problem, he met with PJ Howell of Fingal County Council and Eamonn Dunne of FMW Recycling Ltd. and has encouraged further discussions between them. He has also written officially to his colleague Minister John Gormley stressing the importance of this facility and to investigate any funding that may be available from the Department of Environment.
Minister Sargent said, ‘Without the subsidy, the danger now is that the facility will not attract the same level of business as before and may have to close. People are being charged for recycling by the car load and unfortunately there is the possibility of increased illegal dumping. Balbriggan is a major growth area and this centre gives locals every opportunity to recycle, which is essential for the community to be sustainable.’
He added, ‘With the closure of Balleally Civic Amenity, numerous constituents in the north County have expressed concern that they now have to travel a considerable distance to bring their recyclables. That’s why the it’s essential that a viable recycling centre continues to be provided for the people of Balbriggan and surrounding areas.’
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