Opponents of the controversial hazardous waste incinerator planned for Ringaskiddy, in Cork Harbour, have threatened to field candidates in the local elections next June in protest against its "politically-driven" approval. Frank McDonald, Environment Editor, reports.
Members of CHASE (Cork Harbour Area for a Safe Environment) were reacting to An Bord Pleanála's decision to grant permission for the €95 million project, despite a strong recommendation against it by one of its senior planning inspectors.
The inspector, Mr Philip Jones, who conducted a lengthy public hearing, gave 14 reasons why permission should be refused, but the appeals board - by a majority of nine-to-one - decided to approve the project, citing national waste policy.
"This country is supposed to be a democracy," said Ms Linda Fitzpatrick, spokeswoman for CHASE. Noting that nearly 30,000 people had objected to Indaver Ireland's plan, she added: "We're thinking of running our own candidates. The decision was 'politically-driven'," she said.
Ms Fitzpatrick said CHASE, an alliance of community groups formed in 2001 to fight the plan, said legal advice was being sought on whether to seek a judicial review of the board's ruling on the basis that it was in "serious breach" of EU law.
The board's decision on Ringaskiddy, following on its hotly-contested approval for a municipal waste incinerator at Carranstown, Co Meath, virtually clears the way for the proposed thermal treatment plant at Poolbeg, in Dublin Bay,
One of its vocal critics has been the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, who represents Dublin South East, the area most directly affected. The Progressive Democrats' policy is also opposed to the "mass-burn incineration" of municipal waste.
The Minister for Health, Mr Martin, who represents Cork South Central, said he had always had concerns about plans for a hazardous waste incinerator in Ringaskiddy, given the high concentration of pharmaceutical industries in the area. But the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, who has championed incineration as a disposal option, said the project was "part of the facilities that are crucially needed for Ireland to develop and cope with a very modern economy".
Interviewed on RTÉ television, Mr Cullen said he was "aware of people's concerns and these have to be dealt with", but there was "a lot of myths and legends with regard to many of these facilities" and these were "totally without foundation".
An Bord Pleanála's decision was welcomed by Mr John Ahern, Indaver Ireland's general manager, who said it would reduce Ireland's dependence on other countries for the disposal of hazardous waste, 60 per cent of which is generated in Co Cork.
The Belgian-owned company must now obtain a licence from the Environmental Protection Agency before proceeding with the project. But since the EPA identified a hazardous waste incinerator as a priority in 2001, this is likely to be granted.
An Bord Pleanála said it had regard to the national waste management policy framework as set out in Government policy statements, particularly their preference for incineration over landfill, and to the EPA's Hazardous Waste Management Plan.The board also took into account the geographical spread of hazardous waste arising in the State, the fact that Indaver's site is adjacent to the N28 national primary route, and advice given by the Health and Safety Authority on the likely risks.