Irish Cement has been given the green light for a development allowing it to burn alternative fuels at it’s Mungret plant in Limerick.
The company plans to replace fossil fuels over the next ten years as part of a ten million euro investment.
This is despite strong opposition locally, as well as here in Clare.
Limerick City and County Council granted planning permission for a development in March last year, which would allow Irish Cement to replace fossil fuels with fuels such as solid recovered waste.
But that was appealed to an Bord Pleanala by a number of groups.
Clare County Council also made a detailed submission to the Environmental Protection Agency over the proposal, following a motion by Councillor Cathal Crowe.
The Meelick Councillor raised concerns over the impact on the health of those living in near-by communities of Meelick, Cratloe, Shannon, Bunratty and Sixmilebridge, and also into parts of north and west Clare as well as the potential environmental damage.
But The Limerick Leader reports that the development has been given the go-ahead today, saying that the proposed development is “situated in an established industrial area” and is “reasonably removed from nearby sensitive receptors”.
In a statement, Irish Cement has welcomed the decision by An Bord Pleanala, saying “this development is essential to ensure the long-term viability of the Mungret factory”.
Meanwhile, speaking in Limerick today Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the government has no power over the decision to give the development the green light.
