Sunday Business Post - May 29, 2005
Ringaskiddy incinerator

I readwith interest the articles (SBP 15/5/05) on the proposed National Infrastructure Bill. Obviously Dick Roche has no difficulty with Michael McDowell being “a good constituencyTD'‘, while at the same time he completely ignores the views of his other cabinet colleagues. Micheál Martin and Willie O'Dea are both on record as saying the site at Ringaskiddy is unsuitable for an incinerator. The senior planner who conducted the oral planning hearing found 14 grounds why planning permission should not be granted.

A community group representing the view of over 30,000 people in Cork Harbour has been unable to get a meeting with Dick Roche, on the grounds that such a meeting might interfere with the autonomy of the Environmental Protection Agency. Roche has a clear mission to promote the interests of business over the interests of the community.The dogged effort by the minister to change the planning process unfortunately illustrates the point.

Frank Kelleher Cobh, Co Cork