The Green Party has pledged to do everything in its power to prevent the opening of an incineration facility at Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.
Cllr Dan Boyle, from Cork, said it was bizarre to listen to the comments from the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, about banning smoking, when the Government seems uninterested in the negative impact an incinerator would have on the health of local people.
The Health and Safety Authority is expected to complete its assessment on a planning application by Indaver Ireland for a waste management facility in Co Cork in the coming weeks.
Cllr Boyle also spoke of the widening gap between rich and poor in Ireland.
"Ours is a party that believes and will fight for economic and social justice. Ours is a party that seeks to benchmark social welfare payments against average household income."
The social affairs spokesman said the Green Party in government would economically value the work being done in society by stay-at-home parents, full-time carers and the voluntary community.
"Our party talks about a radical integration of the tax and social welfare systems, through the introduction of eventual universal payment of refundable tax credits. This is a Government that would much prefer to reward highly paid sportsmen than to recognise voluntary effort."
Cllr Boyle's comments were echoed by Cllr Deirdre de Burca, of Wicklow, who said her party rejected the narrow view of prosperity being put forward by the Government. She said it was time to tackle the inequity of the health system by reassigning funding, which was currently going to private practice, to the public health service.
The Green Party health spokeswoman said the party, if elected, would phase out private practice in public hospitals and standardise the cost of health-related procedures.
The party would also oversee the establishment of an office for an ombudsman dealing specifically with issues relating to health.
Cllr Niall Ó Brolcháin, from Galway, said the party would ensure medical cards were provided to all citizens.
As part of government, the party would widen the medical card scheme to support a greater range of treatments including some alternative therapies.