The Government has been advised to consider including projects such as incinerators and wind farms in its proposed fast- track planning board as part of a programme to reduce "greenhouse" gas emissions.
The report on the proposed emissions trading system, published this week, has also advised the Government to examine the possibility of building a national liquid natural gas terminal in Ireland. The Government's position in support of the construction of incinerators was endorsed in one of the report's recommendations.
The report, by Byrne Ó Cleirigh consultants, recommended that key energy projects which would reduce emissions might come under the remit of the Government's proposed National Infrastructure Board. Such projects would include incinerators, power stations and wind farms.
The report, however, has been criticised by the Green Party, which says its recommendations relating to emission limits for industry will mean that consumers and the services sector will now have to bear the brunt of initiatives to reduce greenhouse gases through higher electricity and fuel prices.
It set limits on the amount of greenhouse gases which Ireland's largest manufacturing and energy firms will be allowed to produce without incurring extra costs over the next seven years.
In the emissions trading scheme, major firms will be allotted set levels, and will have to buy permits on an international market should they wish to exceed those levels. The overall limit for the first three years is 200,000 tonnes more than the 22.3 million tonnes of gases being produced by the industries at present.
Ireland has to reduce its emissions by at least five million tonnes under its commitments to the Kyoto protocol.
However Green Party TD Mr Eamon Ryan claimed the Government was "happy to see pollution from the two biggest sectors - transport and industry - continue to grow unchecked".