Head of incinerator firm expected to face questions

The managing director of Indaver Ireland, Mr John Ahern, is expected to be cross-examined on his company's proposals for a toxic waste incinerator in Ringaskiddy when the Bord Pleanála hearing into the proposal reopens in Cork this morning.

The hearing, which has moved from the Neptune Stadium in Cork to the Rochestown Park Hotel, is expected to hear Mr Peter Sweetman, an opponent of the planned incinerator, question Mr Ahern over health concerns associated with project. Mr Sweetman, who represents an individual objector, is expected to be joined by members of the action group Cork Harbour for A Safe Environment (CHASE).

Indaver Ireland is an appellant at the hearing, seeking to overturn Cork County Council's refusal to grant planning permission for the incinerator which would serve the State's cluster of pharmaceutical industries in the Cork harbour area.

While the hearing initially indicated that it would hear only planning and development issues, it was decided late last week to ask the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) to give evidence on the possibility of an accident in any one of a number of firms in the vicinity of the proposed incinerator leading to a "domino effect" in other industries. HSA officials are expected to attend the hearing on Friday next.

Indaver has made the case that in seeking to build a toxic waste incinerator, it is in line with the stated aim of the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, to develop a range of modern waste-management infrastructure.

The Minister has said this should "include a limited number of state-of-the-art thermal treatment facilities and residual landfills, licensed to the most up-to-date and stringent standards". The €95 million plant proposed for a 30-acre site was refused planning permission by Cork County Council last June.

Over 20,000 objections to the initial application were lodged with Cork County Council, with a large number of appeals submitted to An Bord Pleanála by the residents of the harbour area. CHASE has said it will remain opposed to the proposed incinerator and says it will go to the High Court and European Court if the appeal is granted.