A Clare environmental group has written an open letter to the CEO of Clare County Council outlining concerns over what members describe as ‘serious omissions’ from the County Development Plan.
Futureproof Clare is seeking a ban on the use of mercury, sulphuric acid, cyanide and cyanide compounds in the county: substances used in gold and zinc mining.
Futureproof Clare is requesting a meeting with the Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling, to discuss the wording of certain elements of the County Development Plan.
The environmental group made a submission on the proposed amendements to the draft County Development Plan, calling for a ban on the use of mercury, sulphuric acid, cyanide and cyanide compounds in the county: substances used in gold and zinc mining.
The group also called for a strengthening of the overall wording to ensure more effective protection against the impact of mining and other extractive industries.
In response to this submission, CEO Pat Dowling stated his belief that it’s ‘important to keep objectives broad enough to ensure best practice standards to protect the environment can be achieved, regardless of the technique, compound or processing agent used in the industry’.
Futureproof Clare has written to local councillors outlining its fear that groundwater bodies in the County could be open to contamination without a ban on these substances.
It comes as a council motion from Ennis-based Fine Gael Councillor Johnny Flynn in December to enforce the ban in the county development plan, received widespread support.
A council workshop on the draft plan is taking place this afternoon, which Futureproof Clare now plans to attend to address the issue.
Clare County Council statement:
“The Council is currently within the statutory County Development Plan 2023-2029 making process. Almost 1,400 submissions have been made during that statutory plan-making process and each submission (including those by Futureproof Clare) will be considered within this statutory process.”
