Breaking future of 180 jobs at Edenderry power in doubt

There is growing uncertainty surrounding the future of some 180 jobs at Edenderry power plant following a decision by the High Court to quash the planning permission for peat extraction for the plant.

Fianna Fáil TD Barry Cowen has now called on the Government to urgently move to provide certainty for the 180 workers.

Deputy Cowen commented: “The High Court’s decision to quash An Bord Pleanála’s previous decision to extend the peat extraction license for the power plant in Edenderry is alarming. The decision means that the lifespan of the power plant is now significantly reduced. There are over 180 jobs at risk as a result of this ruling.”

In the High Court today, An Taisce secured the court order overturning planning permission for the continued operation of a Bord na Móna power plant near Edenderry.

Earlier this month, Mr Justice Michael White ruled that the environmental effects of extracting the peat needed to fuel the power station were not properly assessed before An Bord Pleanala granted planning permission for the facility to continue burning peat for the next eight years.

An Taisce’s case before the High Court was that, contrary to the EU Environmental Impact Assessment Directive, the environmental effects of extracting the peat fuel to be burned at Edenderry were not properly assessed before An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission to allow the plant burn peat from 2015 to 2023.

The court concluded that An Bord Pleanála “has interpreted the relevant legislation applying Article 3 of the Directive too narrowly”.

The matter was adjourned to today, when Justice White quashed the planning permission. The judge granted a stay to April 30 next and also listed the matter for February 9 2016 to allow for the prospect of a possible application to extend the stay.

Unite Regional Officer Colm Quinlan said: “I am calling on Bord na Mona to immediately seek a stay on the High Court ruling beyond next April to make space for these very difficult negotiations to be brought to a successful conclusion. We have engaged intensively with our members over the past year, all of whom are extremely worried about their future job security. In the event that we do not reach agreement with regard to job losses being achieved on a strictly voluntary basis, recourse to an industrial action campaign will become inevitable.'