Madam, - In response to Rosamund Fitzgerald Cargin's letter (Nov 1st) regarding the proposed decision to licence an incinerator in Ringaskiddy, I wish to point out that the Environmental Protection Agency is a wholly independent agency established by the EPA Act, 1992. All decisions of the agency are made by the board of directors of the agency alone.
Members of that board of directors are appointed by Government following a competitive interview and recommendations by a committee laid down in Section 21 of the EPA Act.
That committee is made up of senior civil servants and representatives of the IDA, Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Council for the Status of Women and the chairperson of An Taisce.
Section 40 of the EPA Act 1992 makes it an offence for any person to attempt to improperly influence a decision of the agency and the board of directors are vigilant to ensure that no such influence is allowed.
The agency's code of practice precludes any participation in decision-making by a director or any staff member who may have, or be perceived to have, any conflict of interest.
I can confirm that this code was strictly adhered to in the decisions on recent applications for incinerators in Meath and Cork. - Yours, etc.,
ANNETTE CAHALANE,
Communications Officer,
Environmental Protection Agency ,
Johnstown Castle Estate,
Wexford.