The UN's cultural and scientific body, UNESCO, has expressed its concern over the Government's failure to provide information on the State's first proposed municipal waste incinerator.
The Government is proposing to locate the facility in Carranstown, Co Meath, just outside Drogheda, Co Louth. The plant would be situated in the Boyne Valley - a UNESCO-recognised world heritage site.
In March, An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission to private company Indaver Ireland to build the €80 million facility. The company is also seeking permission for a hazardous waste incinerator in Co Cork.
But in a Recommendation agreed at its 27th annual meeting in Paris last week, UNESCO's World Heritage Committee said it "regretted" the Government had not provided them with information on the proposal, despite having requested it a year ago.
The Committee called on the Government to provide that information, including an Environmental Impact Assessment - and to submit a report by February 1st, 2004 for review by the 28th session of the Committee.
The Recommendation also requested that Dublin allow an inspection to be carried out by UNESCO and ICOMOS, the International Council on Monuments and Sites. The visit would "review the situation and the impact of the project on the values and integrity of the site."
The cross-border heritage and environmental forum, The Battle for the Boyne, described the UNESCO request as a "significant victory" in its campaign to stop the incinerator being built.
"Despite strong opposition from the Irish Government representatives attending the annual meeting, the World Heritage Committee have issued this forceful recommendation, indicating their serious concern regarding the threat of 'cultural vandalism' to an area of exceptional archaeological and historical importance," said Mr Brian Hanratty, Director of The Battle for the Boyne.
The group has now called on the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to suspend assessment of the waste licence application made by Belgian waste company, Indaver, until UNESCO has conducted its investigations.
"We are confident UNESCO will totally condemn the proposed site given the sensitive area in which it is located", Mr Hanratty added.
The Department of the Environment said it was not aware of a request from UNESCO on the Carranstown incinerator or the Boyne Valley heritage site.
A spokesman added that the Minister remained independent from the planning process and also from the issuing of a waste licence, which is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency.
