A marathon 2½ weeks of submissions and cross-examinations ended in Cork yesterday when closing arguments for and against planning permission for a toxic waste incinerator in Ringaskiddy were presented to an An Bord Pleanála hearing.
Earlier, submissions were made by eight observers to the appeal, including a national school from Cobh and representatives of the local Irish Farmers Association, asking the inspector conducting the hearing, Mr Philip Jones, to refuse Indaver Ireland permission to build the incinerator.
However, in its closing argument the applicant company urged the appeals board to only consider issues of planning and development, which, it insisted, the proposed €93 million facility is fully in accordance with.
Counsel for Indaver, Mr Mark Gardiner, told the hearing that despite the numerous objections, the fact remains that the development is supported by Forfás, the Irish Pharmaceutical and Chemical Manufacturers Federation, Cork Chamber of Commerce, the Institute of Engineers of Ireland and IBEC.
He stated that the development was in accordance with the national policy as expressed in the National Hazardous Waste Management Plan and with EU policy, which promotes self-sufficiency and advocates the proximity principle in relation to waste disposal.
"The chemical and pharmaceutical industry in Ireland currently produces hazardous waste and will continue to do so.
"This industry currently exports its waste but there is absolutely no guarantee it will continue to be able to do so," he said, adding that those industries are worth around €32 billion to the national economy.
However, counsel for Cork County Council, Mr Pearse Sreenan, said the council exercised its democratic right to refuse planning permission.
And Mr Sreenan urged An Bord Pleanála to follow the council's lead and disallow the appeal.