PRESS RELEASE

Ash Wednesday, Feb 25, 2004

INCINERATOR to PRODUCE ENOUGH ASH TO COVER CROKE PARK EVERY 10.5 WEEKS

On Today, Ash Wednesday, campaigners from Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment (CHASE) call on the Government to tackle industry’s hazardous waste without incineration which results in increased hazardous exports* in the form of toxic ash. (Photo shoot details below)

The construction of a 100,000 tonne national incinerator in Ringaskiddy to burn Ireland’s hazardous waste will create up to 30,000 tonnes of toxic ash to be exported to other countries. This is enough ash to cover the Croke Park pitch with 6ft deep ash every 10.5 weeks.

Speaking at the Ringaskiddy site CHASE Chairperson, Mary O’Leary said “The Government must move away from the old concept of incineration which creates toxic gases and ash, and move toward reducing the amount of hazardous waste being produced”.

“In the state of Massachusetts the US government and industry worked together to remove the need for 3 hazardous waste incinerators (totalling 600,000 tonnes) by reducing hazardous waste by almost 60%, while saving industry money” she added.

The only alternative to exporting the hazardous ash created by a commercial incineration industry is to build a hazardous waste landfill site close by. According to Environment Minister Martin Cullen it will have to be within a fifteen minute journey from the incinerator, which leaves communities in the circle from Kinsale to Blarney, Middleton and Shanagarry in East Cork wondering who’s next!

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Photo shoot Details
Location - Ringaskiddy Site – Right Hand Side of Road before beach. Time – 12noon, Wed 25 Feb (Today)

*Indaver Ireland stated at the An Bord Pleanala Oral Hearing, Sept 2003 that they intended to export the hazardous ash produced to other countries for disposal in hazardous waste landfill sites.

For further information contact:
Linda Fitzpatrick, CHASE PRO Tel: 021 4374506 Mobile: 087 7410849
Mary O’Leary, CHASE Chairperson, Tel: 021 4811952 Mobile: 086 8177737