A proposal to build the country's first toxic-waste incinerator at Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, will be debated at an oral hearing later this month.
Although planning permission was refused last June by Cork County Council, the party behind the proposal, Indaver Ireland, appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanála, which announced that an oral hearing would be held at the Neptune Basketball Stadium, Cork, in a fortnight.
The announcement was welcomed yesterday by one of the main objectors to the proposal, the lobby group Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment (Chase).
"The confirmation of this oral hearing date is the culmination of an intense two-year campaign by the communities in the Ringaskiddy area opposing the proposal.
"Our preparations have been finalised, and Chase has every confidence that the weight of arguments that will be presented by the Chase legal team and panel of experts will further endorse Cork Council's decision to refuse planning for this proposed development," Chase chairwoman Ms Mary O'Leary said.
Cork TD Mr Dan Boyle yesterday accused Indaver of being disingenuous in minimising how the ash residue resulting from its incineration process would be disposed of.
"While Indaver accept that nowhere in Ireland exists at present for the disposal of its most toxic ash residue, its submission implies that they would be willing to assist in the introduction of a hazardous landfill facility with Government grant assistance," Mr Boyle said.
Last month, a spokesman for Indaver said the company welcomed the opportunity for all interested parties to have a full, proper and open debate on the siting of the facility in Ringaskiddy.