Babies in buggies, grannies in geansais emblazoned with the slogan ‘No to toxic waste incineration’, hazmat suits, and lots of surgical masks — the carpark of the Carrigaline Court Hotel resembled a bizarre mix of playground fare and the post-apocalyptic as hundreds of people protested against plans to build an incinerator locally.

Dozens of sewage treatment facilities around the country are failing to meet the required standard, including Dublin and Cork cities and some hugely popular tourist destinations.

It was great to read a good-news story about the development of the Lower Cork Harbour in your article (Irish Examiner, March 12).

In 2002, Cork County Council called for government funding for a main drainage scheme in Cork Harbour to stop sewage pouring into its waters — 12 years later, the project hasn’t gone to tender yet.