An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for the State's first toxic-waste incinerator in Co Cork.
Belgian-owned Indaver Ireland applied to build the facility in Ringaskiddy, in Cork Harbour. The plant will deal with 100,000 tonnes of hazardous waste per annum.
The planning authority met last night and voted by a majority of nine to one to grant permission. The decision is at odds with recommendations by An Bord Pleanála's own inspector, Mr Philip Jones, who oversaw a four-week oral hearing on the incinerator plan.
Among the reasons for the decision are the provisions of the Waste Management Act, which preclude An Bord Pleanála from considering of matters relating to the risk of environmental pollution. Also, the board said, the location of the proposed development in Cork Harbour was suitable because it was in an area which is "the principal established area in Cork County for large-scale pharmaceutical and chemical industry".
The ruling continued: "The site is an appropriate location for a necessary public utility, and that the proposed development would not seriously injure the amenities of the area (including the Martello tower, a protected structure), would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience, would not be prejudicial to the future development of the area for port-related development and would be in accordance with the proper planning and development of the area."
The Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen this evening welcomed the decision. He said the incinerator was "part of the facilities that are crucially needed for Ireland to develop and cope with a very modern economy."
The reality of it is that the EU has put Ireland under enormous pressure, and have rightly told all countries that they will not allow the exportation of toxic waste," he added. "Therefore Ireland - along with every other country has to deal with its own waste."
He said he was aware of the concerns of local people, but insisted there were a lot of "myths and legends" surrounding the environmental and health risks posed by toxic waste incinerators. These fears were "totally without foundation", Mr Cullen said.
Campaign group, the Cork Harbour Area for a Safe Environment (CHASE), said they were "furious" with the decision. "We're really, really angry," spokeswoman Ms Linda FitzPatrick told ireland.com.
"We will be examining the reasons for granting permission and investigating the possibility of a judicial review," she said.
Ms FitzPatrick said the decision to grant permission for the facility was at odds with the Cork Development Plan and the Cork Area Strategic Plan. CHASE said the decision was in breach of EU Law and that it was "particularly inappropriate" for Ireland, currently holding the EU presidency, to be flouting its legislation.
Cork County Council voted against the €70 million incinerator last May, but Indaver appealed to the national planning authority. It was the biggest application ever dealt with by the council.
Indaver had been banking on a positive decision by An Bord Pleanála because of the pro-incineration thrust of current national waste policy and the need to avoid exporting the hazardous waste generated in Ireland for disposal or treatment in other EU countries.
Green Party Cork South Central TD, Mr Dan Boyle, accused An Bord Pleanála of caving in to political pressure from the Minister for Environment, Mr Cullen "through his threat to establish a National Infrastructure Board because An Bord Pleanála has not delivered the planning decisions the Minister has wanted."
"There can be no doubt that this is a political decision by An Bord Pleanála as they have overturned the 14 grounds for refusal listed by the appointed Inspector who oversaw the four week oral hearing," he said.
"Decisions of this type will do nothing to inspire the people of Ringaskiddy, the Cork Harbour area and the public in general, that an effective and fair planning process exists," he added.
The Labour Party said the decision "flies in the face of proper waste management policy".
Cork Labour Senator Mr Brendan Ryan said: "This country has no effective policy on toxic-waste management reduction, no effective policy on toxic-waste reuse or recycling, and no effective policy to deal with toxic-waste, which is generated outside the tightly regulated industry sector.
"Because of all this, granting planning permission now will effectively reverse the correct priorities in waste management," he added.
Indaver has already been granted permission to build a municipal waste incinerator at Carranstown, Co Meath, near Drogheda. A delegation from the UN's cultural and heritage body, UNESCO, is expected to visit the site next month because of concerns at its proximity to the Brú na Boinne world heritage site.
