Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The contributions of Senators, in particular Senator Coffey, on this issue are important. Last night Mr. Derek Mooney hosted an ongoing debate on the importance of our maritime environment during his radio programme. In the context of spatial planning, I refer to the decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant a licence to Indaver for an incinerator in the heart of Cork Harbour in Ringaskiddy.That flies in the face of the Government's and the Tánaiste's plan for Cork Harbour in tandem with what the Minister of State has outlined. It is about identifying the importance of the harbour as an asset to Cork, from a recreational, leisure and commercial point of view. We are facilitating the movement of the Port of Cork downstream to Ringaskiddy. Residents in Ringaskiddy at the mouth of Cork Harbour have chemical and pharmaceutical industries and have worked with a lot of different organisations to ensure we have seen a gain in that area. I am baffled. EU legislation on marine spatial planning and the strategy around it and the different framework directives that have been given indicate that the development of an incinerator in Cork Harbour is a wrong decision. Given what the inspector and the board have said in terms of their contributions, it certainly does not add up.

I am digressing a little from the statements on the marine spatial strategy. I commend the Minister of State for his work. Cork Harbour and Monkstown are enticing people to come into Cork, be it on pleasure boats, ocean liners or cruise ships. In the context of the Port of Cork relocating and its great importance to Cork, I am really disappointed by the decision of An Bord Pleanála. I commend the people of CHASE, the local residents' associations in Ringaskiddy and Cobh and the residents of Monkstown for their work and endurance.

The Minister of State spoke about public participation, review and Oireachtas involvement. As democrats we accept what the people say. However, the planning process in this case leaves a sour taste. I do not want to stray into questioning the independence of the process. The roadmap this Government and the last one put forward contained a strategy for the development of Cork Harbour as the Sydney of Europe. Colleagues who are not from Cork do not understand the importance of the harbour and may see us as being very parochial. Being from Waterford, Senator Coffey will recognise the importance of the water as an entrance and departure point for trade and commerce, as will the Acting Chairman in respect of Dún Laoghaire. It is very disappointing for the residents of Ringaskiddy. There is only one further recourse left which costs an awful lot of money. One might wonder why we have a maritime strategy or a spatial planning strategy in terms of Ireland 2040.

In the context of flood relief and defence, I hope we can tie in the work of the OPW with the marine spatial planning strategy. It is about ensuring that we allow people to have access to the water, develop our ports and protect our people in the city of Cork from flooding. I thank the Minister of State and the Acting Chairman for indulging me. It was important to put on record my disappointment at what Indaver has been able to achieve through the planning process.