Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I cannot make a personal comment because it is outside my jurisdiction. This is a matter for the EPA and it has gone through due process. In granting the licence, the EPA was satisfied that, subject to conditions, the incinerators would not endanger human health or harm the environment. The conditions require the operator to carry out monitoring programmes 20 times per year, ten times more than what is requested by the EU. The Office of Environmental Enforcement will monitor and enforce conditions through environmental audits, site visits and checks of emissions.

I respect the independence of the FSAI, its valued contribution to food safety, its assurances and its proactive manner of addressing concerns. Once the conditions have been finalised, the FSAI and the EPA will do the job well.

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