Madam, - Eddie Holt (Connect, January 7th) accuses Indaver of commercial deception by stating that we told residents we would never seek increased capacity for our Co Meath incinerator. This assertion is incorrect. Indaver has always said that company developments will be governed by national and regional waste policy and plans and that our proposals will fulfil the requirements of these plans and policies. Therefore, when the new draft waste plan stated that an incineration capacity of up to 200,000 tonnes was required for the north-east region, Indaver revised its plans in line with the region's requirement. The company must of course re-enter the public planning system to realise this increased capacity.
Mr Holt also writes that it might be a good idea if local communities were compensated in some way for incinerators and landfills being located in their areas. We agree. Such a policy has been in place since 1998, when the Government's waste policy document "Changing Our Ways" stated that "community gain" should be part of the provision of waste infrastructure. For instance, if we operate a facility of 200,000 tonnes a year in Co Meath, we must pay more than €250,000 a year into a "community fund" to be spent locally, as compensation to the host community. This will amount to over €5 million over the 20-year life of the project.
Your Editorial of January 9th states that the "proximity principle" should apply to waste accepted at our Co Meath incinerator. Again we agree. Proper application of the "proximity principle" is one of the reasons why we are requesting that the facility be allowed to accept waste from outside the region. It makes sense. Surely Balbriggan (10km by motorway) is more "proximate" than Belturbet (98km away)? Yet our current permission would allow us to take waste from Belturbet but not Balbriggan. Indaver fully supports the country's regional waste management plans, but it also supports common sense and the "proximity principle".
Your Editorial also referred to Indaver as a "vested interest". Surely it is in the national interest that Ireland's waste infrastructure be developed in a sensible manner? We make no apology for participating in the development of a successful integrated waste management system.
Indaver Ireland conducts its business openly, honestly and transparently. We do not deceive communities where we hope to operate on a long-term basis. We adhere to all European Principles and Directives as well as Ireland's Regional Waste Management Plans. We would like to reassure local residents and your readers of this fact. - Yours, etc,
JACKIE KEANEY, Indaver Ireland, Haddington Terrace. Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.