Groups campaigning against a toxic waste incinerator in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, have expressed shock at moves to facilitate the building of a €95 million hazardous-waste facility in their town.
Members of Cork Harbour Area for a Safe Environment (CHASE) have pledged to bring their case to the European Court if councillors give the controversial project the final stamp of approval in a vote next May.
Ms Linda Fitzpatrick, spokeswoman for CHASE, said she remained optimistic that councillors would vote with their conscience in relation to the project.
"A significant number of county councillors from across all parties have on numerous occasions over the past 18 months stated publicly their opposition to the incinerator, and pledged to vote against it," she said.
"CHASE is confident these people will vote in the interests of the 20,000 people who have lodged objections to the facility."
A Fianna Fáil TD, Mr Batt O'Keefe, says he finds it difficult to accept that Cork needs a project of this magnitude, particularly in light of the fact that several local pharmaceutical plants have their own in-house incinerators.
The incineration company, Indaver Ireland, yesterday welcomed the decision by the Cork County Manager, Mr Maurice Moloney, to seek a material contravention of the county development plan.
If this is passed by councillors next May it will open the way for planning permission to be granted.
Under the existing County Development Plan, there is no provision for an incineration facility at Ringaskiddy. The plan designates the town for port-related industries and major water uses, with the waste-management proposal failing to meet those criteria.
Indaver claims the project will provide employment for 320 people during construction and 60 when operational.