Madam, - The suggestion by Andrew Buroni from RPS consultants, at the hearing on the proposed Ringsend incinerator (April 27th), that the local community may benefit from health gains from having an incinerator in their area, is certainly a new slant.
The medical evidence and reports showing the huge risks from incinerators, especially to the most vulnerable members of our society, are well documented.
What is more insidious is the suggestion that a community with social and economic needs is a target to be bought off.
Where is the environmental justice when an already underprivileged community is asked to take on a very suspect project?
Incinerators are not big employers, reuse and recycling projects are. Why was the glass recycling plant in Ringsend not maintained for the local community?
As for providing future heating, burning trash is a waste of energy.
You cannot recapture all the energy you have spent in mining, transporting, processing and manufacturing these materials and objects, but you can save on some of this energy by reusing and recycling.
Also, dirty industry attracts more dirty industry, which doesn't add to the positive regeneration of an area.
Offering people a community gain fund is bribery to force a community to accept what no one else wants.
The people of Ringsend have a right to a safe, clean environment to raise their families and support the vulnerable members of their community.
Mr Buroni works for RPS, a firm responsible for several of this country's waste management plans, national and county, which promote incineration.
One of the directors of RPS has been appointed to the board of An Bord Pleanála which leaves us again questioning the independence and integrity of the board. - Yours, etc,
ROMA FULTON, Shippool, Innishannon, Co Cork.