The incineration of democracy
This is an act of cultural vandalism on a scale not seen before in Ireland and must be vigorously contested.
This incinerator, if it is not throttled, would generate circa 50,000 tonnes of ash annually, some of which would be highly toxic, and which would require to be disposed via landfill and other methods. Such a plant would also generate hundreds of tonnes of toxic emissions including dioxins and furans in direct conflict with Ireland's commitment to reduce and eliminate these as a signatory to the UN Treaty on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
Apart from the health risks associated with such dangerous substances, a report recently published by the Health Research Bureau highlighted the chilling reality that Irish health information systems cannot support routine monitoring of the health of people living near waste sites.
Despite the fact that the Irish planning system in this case ignored all health and environmental issues, An Bord Pleanála's inspector concurred with the objections raised by over 26,000 people who signed a petition against this development and the 4,500 who made individual objections.
At the oral hearing, the inspector was convinced by the compelling arguments against the incinerator put forward by the community and its expert team in a highly professional and democratic manner.
Having won the argument, the community was then subject to faceless members of the board making an arbitrary decision (probably without even visiting the site) which displayed total contempt for their own inspector's thorough assessment and the concerns of tens of thousands of people while, in effect, incinerating democracy.
If this flawed decision is allowed to stand, it heralds the death of democracy and the demise of a credible planning process in Ireland (which has already lost much credibility in the tribunal revelations). It implies that no matter how compelling an argument, articulated by the most eminent experts, An Bord Pleanála can steamroll any well founded community concerns in relation to any development in its area.
If we are serious about protecting (indeed, perhaps restoring) democracy in this country, then this must be stopped without delay.
Those of your readers who might wish to get involved in fending off this threat to Ireland's most famous World Heritage site, and one of Europe's most celebrated battle sites, can get in touch with us at the address below.
Tony Rooney,
No Incineration Alliance,
PO Box 2001,
Drogheda,
Co Louth.
e-mail: mail@noincineration.com
