The Green Party today called again on Dick Roche, Minister for the Environment, to carry out an investigation into the planning and operation of the Ringsend sewage treatment plant. Green Party Chairman and Dublin South East TD John Gormley said that the residents are experiencing very bad smells on an ongoing basis and that the problems at the plant continue.

“In any other country those responsible for such a debacle would have resigned but here nobody is taking responsibility. The Taoiseach opened this new plant and now that serious problems have emerged it is time that a full investigation be carried out.

“It seems that there is a fundamental problem in that the plant simply can’t cope with the volume of sewage entering it. If such a basic error is confirmed by an investigation then those responsible would have to resign. I am calling on Minister Roche again today to have the matter investigated as a matter of urgency.

“In the meantime he should state what the plans are to deal with Dublin’s increasing sewage load. It would appear that not only does the Ringsend plant have to be expanded but that a new plant will need to be built in another location,” concluded Deputy Gormley.