We’ve done the work and we know the risks

I AM tired of John Ahern of Indaver constantly telling the Irish people to grow up. We have taken the responsibility to research and inform ourselves about the health risks of incineration and the threat to the environment.

We have listened to experts in the medical field and scientists from the US, Canada, The Netherlands and Britain. These include chemical engineers, toxicologists and doctors.

We have contacts with groups in over 90 countries who are opposing incineration, including groups from Asia, South Africa, Germany and Macedonia. We know there are exciting new technologies based on the concepts of zero waste, clean technology and toxic use reduction. These don’t carry the risks of incineration and are functioning in other parts of the world.

We know that if Ireland is to succeed in its commitments to the Kyoto agreement, the Stockholm convention and other international directives, incineration is definitely not the route to take.

We have looked at Indaver’s record. Running an incinerator that is in breach of dioxin emission levels by over 1,000 times the permitted limit doesn’t create confidence. We are no longer naive enough to believe the spin put on figures which any primary schoolchild could tell you don’t add up.

We know there are firms in Ireland waiting for the opportunity to introduce new strategies to deal with our waste, strategies which could create thousands of jobs and prevent problems with toxic waste landfill sites. Incineration is outdated, unnecessary and unsustainable.

Roma Fulton
Innishannon
Co Cork

Irish Examiner - 22/11/04