Kick in teeth for local democracy

The outcome of the Bord Pleanála decision on the proposed incinerator at Ringaskiddy, which gave approval to Indaver Ireland to proceed with the country’s first toxic waste plant, is a perplexing one.

With hindsight, it is difficult to escape the conclusion that those who objected to the project, and they represented about 25,000 people in the area, were engaged involuntarily in a cosmetic exercise.

To any reasonable person it would seem logical that the recommendation of Bord Pleanála’s senior inspector who presided over the lengthy oral hearing would ultimately prevail. Over the course of four weeks, he had heard the arguments put forward by both sides and his final report was produced from an independent and objective perspective.