A survey that found householders in the south-east were causing widespread environmental damage by burning domestic rubbish has been challenged by an anti-incineration group.
The New Ross-based Research and Information Group (RAIG) claimed the survey, carried out for the region's local authorities, was being used to "sell" incineration to the public.
The IMS survey was carried out last November among 364 respondents in the region's five counties. Asked how they currently disposed of waste, 37 per cent of respondents said they burned it either "most of the time" or "sometimes".
Supporters of a plan to build a waste-incinerator in the south-east claimed the survey demonstrated the need for such a facility.
Mr Jim Harney, senior executive officer with South Tipperary County Council, said the findings demonstrated that the public were, perhaps unwittingly, releasing dioxins in an uncontrolled manner into the environment.
"It is vital that this behaviour is addressed so that all non-recyclable and residual waste can be treated in a more controlled and environmentally friendly way," he said.
Mr Harney said an incinerator which used the best available technology and adhered to strict EU guidelines, and which would have no impact on public health or the environment, was the best solution to the problem.
RAIG, however, said the suggestion that backyard burning was a major source of dioxin emissions in the south-east was contradicted by three scientific studies, carried out in recent years by agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency.
In May 2001 the EPA had published the results of its most recent survey and concluded that dioxin levels in Ireland remained among the lowest measured in Europe.
"These studies were not based on a small number of questionnaires but involved extensive sampling and actual tests to measure dioxin levels. The EPA reports show that for food exports our very low dioxin levels give us a competitive advantage," it said.
In a statement RAIG said more than €5 million had been spent on drawing up a waste strategy for the south-east, but no objective assessment of the health risks of incineration had taken place.
A 20-year waste management plan for the region, which includes incineration at a location yet to be selected, has been backed by four of the south-east's six local authorities, Kilkenny, Carlow and South Tipperary County Councils and Waterford City Council.
Waterford rejected the plan and councillors in Wexford postponed a decision until next month. Managers have the power to adapt the strategy in cases where council members reject it.
RAIG claimed Wexford would be a likely location for an incinerator, in spite of a previous decision by the county council to reject incineration by 19 votes to one.
"The facility will require proximity and access to a good road network, a rail link, a port and a landfill, for disposal of toxic ash. These requirements could be met by several locations in Wexford, including Wexford town," it said.
Consultants Fehily Timoney & Co, who drew up the plan for the region's local authorities, said at the time of its publication last year that environmental impact assessments were carried out on four different waste management scenarios, two of which included thermal treatment. Both of these options, it said, were shown to have the least potential impact on humans.
The plan includes "maximum realistic recovery and recycling" and "the full range of treatment systems" including materials recovery, biological treatment and incineration. All residual materials would be sent to landfill.
It also proposes a three-bin collection service for all urban households by 2008, a two-bin system in other areas, home composting to reach maximum levels by 2007, "bring centres" for recyclable materials at a minimum density of one per 1,000 population by 2005 and a network of material recovery facilities to be established in the region.