Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion to oppose the proposed incinerator at Ringsend. There are other plans to build an incinerator at Carranstown, outside Duleek in County Meath. Like those living in Dublin South-East, I have serious concerns about Indaver Ireland's proposal to operate an incinerator in east Meath.

Ireland is a food-processing country and has a reputation for the excellence of its food products, but the scale and location of the proposed incinerator in a region in Meath with a significant output of dairy, beef and vegetable produce will threaten Ireland's reputation for quality. We in Meath are concerned about the possible impact of emissions of oxidants on the food chain.

I wish the Minister and his colleague behind him well in their new jobs. On behalf of farmers, I have great admiration for the Minister of State.

See this speech in context