Irish Independent - 12-08-06
Waste threat to Cork plan

The recently announced and most welcome plan for the former Irish Steel site on Haulbowline island in Cork Harbour includes a hotel, apartments, commercial property, a maritime museum, a marina and a landmark building (Ireland's Sydney Opera House, perhaps) in addition to the existing Irish Naval Service headquarters.

This ambitious and forward thinking plan by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheal Martin (presumably modelled on the Dublin docklands development) will attract tourists, top-level businesses and many jobs within the overall marine-related development.

However, there is a serious lack of integrated planning in the Cork Harbour area and a lack of communication between different government departments and ministers in relation to the area. Two incinerators (one toxic and one municipal) are being planned for an adjacent site, and emissions from their chimney stack would be blown onto and over Haulbowline island by the prevailing winds.

This is a risk factor that any investor will take into account and it could deter investment and potential residents, businesses and tourists.

No doubt Minister Martin and his colleagues in their wisdom will recognise this and devise an alternative solution to our waste processing problems. Otherwise they risk ruining the great potential of this proposal for Hawlbowline Island.

NORCOTT ROBERTS,
SYDENHAM COTTAGE,
MONKSTOWN,
CO CORK