Friday, 2nd February 2001

IHF SEEKS URGENT ACTION ON GALWAY WASTE DISPOSAL CRISIS

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) today called for an urgent resolution to the Galway waste crisis. It stated that non-collection of waste would cause enormous damage to Ireland's tourist industry and pose serious health risks to residents and visitors to the area. The IHF, which represents 150 hotels and guesthouses in Galway city and county, called on the Minister for the Environment Noel Dempsey, TD and elected representatives of Galway's Local Authorities, to provide an immediate temporary solution to enable the disposal of waste to resume and then to work together in putting in place a strategic solution.

Commenting today, John Power, Chief Executive of the IHF stated that if this matter was not resolved within the next 48 hours, a major health and environmental crisis will ensue.

"While the Federation accepts that this is a complex issue requiring a strategic solution, we believe that the emergency action must be taken to resolve the immediate problem", said John Power

Mr Power also stressed that there is too much at stake on this issue - not just for Galway but for the entire country - both from a tourism and an environmental perspective.

"Galway, and Ireland have worked hard over the years to create a vibrant tourist industry. Our reputation as a premier tourist destination with a 'clean, green environment, is being put in jeopardy by the current impasse", he continued. "Considering our tourism industry contributes over £3 billion each year to the Irish economy, and employs 150,000 people, the Minister and the Local Authorities have an obligation to ensure that this crisis is immediately resolved".