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Did we think it would be different? Hope Project/La Pilar Learning 021 4888503 Did we think it would be different?
After the announcement that the Ringaskiddy Incinerator got
the go ahead from An Bord Pleanala, I felt foolish to admit that I
did think it would be different. I thought that three
weeks of clear and rational arguments against incineration in general
and incineration at Ringaskiddy at the An Bord Pleanala hearings would
put a stop to the proposal. Especially when there had already been
a County Council refusal and three years of public disapproval expressed.
I really though all this rejection would count for something. I felt foolish in my optimism because of course the decision
is in favour of Indavers €95 million waste business and EU waste strategies.
It seems that it doesnit matter what we want or how right we are money
and power prevail. Aren’t we daily reminded that things like truth and democracy
hold little weight? Do we remember having to revote in
the Nice Treat Referendum? We were practically told that we might
as well vote for Nice because otherwise the referendum would be held
over and over until government got the result it wanted.
And now that the Nice Treaty is ratified, Philip Jordan, the An Bord Pleanala inspector who chaired
the incinerator hearings, did not recommend incineration. He did his job which was to listen to all sides,
Indaver, Cork County Council and us the objecting groups who were
representative of public opinion. After listening his job was to inform
the board. .In the end, he distilled his findings into 14 reasons,
good reasons for rejecting incineration. It showed we have nothing to fear from people
who listen without an agenda. An Bord Pleanala ignored his information. In the face of such blatant and arrogant disregard, words
fail me. For what it is worth, I offer the following in bumper sticker
form, in hopes it will be more comprehensible to government. It’s all up in smoke. Rubbish is not the only thing that
can go up in smoke. With this rejection goes the hopes of the people
of Smoke and Mirrors characterises Indaver’s Waste Management
Project in which a token recycling plant hides a massive toxic incinerator. It also characterises the countrys Waste Management
strategy in general and the whole planning process around the Ringaskiddy
incinerator in particular. Smoke and mirrors are used in our countries
industrial approval systems especially when they are toxic industries. Ask the people of Askeaton, Co.Limerick if you
can find them through the smoke. The Smoke screen of An Bord Pleanala approval indicates
a government and EU decision to ‘Burn, Baby, Burn’ regardless of the
consequences. No smoke without Fire. The people of Ringaskiddy/Cork/Ireland
want no smoke. So lets have no fire. The truth will out. Minister Martin, Minister for Health
and Children, has seen no convincing evidence to indicate another
incinerator in Ringaskiddy will affect health. A minister can’t see
evidence when he doesn’t look and when a three-week hearing disallows
evidence based on health concerns. He can’t see any evidence of a
vaccine connection to autism either for much the same reasons. The truth always comes out in the end. Unfortunately
its manifestation is often tragic. Will we have to find out about dioxins from people
with cancer and children with birth defects? ‘First do no harm’ This
is the basic premise of medicine, Minister. ‘Waste not wants not.’ We would have a very different economy, lifestyle
and culture if we learned to respect and value people and the beautiful
creation around us. We would change the culture for the better if
we learn to prioritise, reuse, recycle, to make things that last and
to consider using things responsibly. ‘Fight fire with fire’ If necessary money will have to
be gathered and Indaver met in the courts.
Indaver anticipated this in having a legal team at the Neptune
Stadium hearings at all times. ‘Enough is enough’ Hopefully the people of Ringaskiddy
will be listened to in the courts but if it comes to bulldozers against
bodies, I hope Indaver knows when to stop. And finally, We shall overcome. Money wins battles, people win wars. People defending their families and home win because they have, because the alternative is unthinkable. |
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Cork
Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment |