Government takes the daredevil option

FOR more than 20 years successive governments have neglected environmental issues. They invited pharmaceutical and chemical companies to set up business in Ireland without any obligation to find new production methods in order to avoid toxic waste.

They have not monitored people's health in the vicinity of these firms in spite of a huge number of asthmatic children. They have not come up with a new approach to tackle the domestic waste problem. Burning toxic and household waste in the Cork harbour region is the daredevil option of an irresponsible government.

An Bord Pleanála's decision to grant permission to install a toxic-cum-domestic waste incinerator in Ringaskiddy shows only that it is not an independent board. Ignoring the senior inspector's wise recommendation not to grant permission is a crime against humanity and the environment.