The Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, has said he plans to press ahead with the construction of new landfill sites and waste incinerators, despite the publication of the Health Research Board (HRB) report.
His stance was criticised last night as "extremely irresponsible" by Fine Gael's environment spokesman, Mr Bernard Allen.
Mr Allen said the report highlighted the need for new scientific studies on incineration technology, and until such time as these studies were conducted and published, he felt the Government "must stop its headlong drive to use incineration as the lazy option in waste management".
The Green party's environment spokesman, Mr Ciaran Cuffe, said he was very concerned at the Minister's attitude. "There are very real concerns regarding emissions from incinerators and badly-managed landfills, and we feel more research is needed. In the meantime the precautionary principle should apply, and landfills should not be placed close to where people live. The Green party is totally opposed to incineration."
Mr Cullen said the HRB report would receive careful consideration by his department. However, he said no waste option, not even recycling, was risk free.
He said current Irish waste management practices were unsustainable.
He would be developing "a range of modern waste infrastructure, including a limited number of state of the art thermal treatment facilities and residual landfills, licensed to the most up-to-date and stringent standards.
"I am satisfied that under the rigorous environmental licensing system operated by the EPA, proposed new facilities will not present a significant risk to public health or the environment."
Meanwhile, in Co Meath, where a decision in relation to permission for an incinerator is expected next week from An Bord Pleanála, the local Fine Gael TD and former Taoiseach, Mr John Bruton, called on the Government to immediately put a halt to all new incinerators.
He said the report had "substantial implications for people living in the vicinity of incinerators".
The company seeking permission to build the Duleek incinerator welcomed the report.
Indaver Ireland's general manager, Mr John Ahern, said it had given no reason to delay any further the development of modern integrated waste management infrastructure in Ireland. "Doing nothing about our waste crisis is no longer an option," he said.
Dublin City Council also plans to build an incinerator on the Poolbeg Peninsula in Ringsend to treat 25 per cent of Dublin waste.
Mr Damien Cassidy, spokesman for the Ringsend, Irishtown, Sandymount Environmental Group, which has opposed the facility for several years, said the report supported everything they were worried about.
"It confirms our worst fears," he said, adding that he hoped Mr Cullen would now take its findings on board and end plans for incineration.
Assistant city manager Mr Matt Twomey welcomed the report. He said the proposed thermal treatment plant for Ringsend would dispose of waste "in a clean manner" while at the same time producing energy in the form of electricity and heat.
The council hosts an information day on recycling, thermal treatment, landfill, composting and the health impacts of modern waste management tomorrow at Ringsend Technical College.
European and Irish experts will attend from noon to 5 p.m.