Letter to Irish Examiner - November 15, 2008
Legal costs plea for concerned citizens

I WOULD like to appeal to An Bord Pleanála, the EPA, the State and Indaver to forgo any temptation to seek costs from the concerned Cork citizens and their organisations who have so valiantly worked to protect their environment from an incinerator in Ringaskiddy.

In opposing the incinerator, citizens have fulfilled their obligation under the UN’s Agenda 21 to be concerned and vigilant on behalf of the environment and those who live in it and rely on it.

Further, the Aarhus Convention guarantees them the right to affordable justice in their stewardship of the environment.

The Government has delayed implementing the Aarhus Convention thus leaving concerned citizens with little choice but to risk exorbitant fees in defending the health and environment of their community.

However, as Ireland is now past its deadline for implementation, it would be a particular injustice to penalise these Cork citizens, having already denied them the benefit of the Aarhus Convention.

I call on the State and Indaver not to pursue costs and to give full effect of the Aarhus Convention in Ireland without delay.

Kathy Sinnott MEP
St Joseph
Ballinabearna
Ballinhassig
Co Cork