This article is from page 4 of the 2011-12-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
COMMUNICATION from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in relation to the presence of unsavoury odours in the Smithstown area of Shannon has been criticised.
In a letter to the Shannon Town Clerk, Liam O’Connor, the EPA stated that it has been working with Clare County Council in relation to the issue. It stated that complaints were received in August and September and that several site and odour surveys were carried out in Smithstown and its environs.
“It is apparent that the odours in the Shannon town area are from multiple sources. All possible sources of odours at EPA licensed facilities have been and continue to be investigated and corrective and preventative actions implemented when necessary,” stated the EPA. “Other possible odour sources continue to be investigated by Clare County Council. The agency will continue to work with its licensees in Shannon to ensure they are not the cause of offsite nuisance odours,” it added, in its letter.
However, members of Shannon Town Council have expressed concern with the letter and have called for a meeting with the EPA. “That’s a disgraceful letter,” said Independent Councillor Gerry Flynn, at a meeting of the council last Tuesday. “I think it is high time that we call the EPA out of the tall grass. . . I propose we summon a representative of the EPA to a meeting to explain themselves,” he said.
Councillor Patricia McCarthy (Independent) said, “Reports went in. They did monitoring. We haven’t been told the outcome. The problem is they are self-monitoring,” she added. “They judge their performance from going into court and getting a conviction,” she said, adding that it takes a few years for this process to conclude. “It is a certain form of contempt for the public,” she said.
Fine Gael Councillor Seán McLoughlin said, “We want results, not that they got complaints. What was the actual result of the monitoring and what action are they going to take now?” he asked.
Sinn Féin Councillor Cathy McCafferty said, “It is a real concern for everyone. Whatever way the wind blows, the smell comes. We want to know what means and methods they are going to use to fix it.”
Labour Councillor Greg Duff said, “They have to have a more independent way of looking at things.” He said that “a high number of people” in Shannon get cancer which he said is down to a “combination of factors”. He said that real answers must be provided in relation to the odour issue.
Councillor Tony McMahon (Labour) said the odour issue has a significant impact on the “health of the community”. Fine Gael Councillor Vincent Coleman said that the letter “doesn’t relay new information. It doesn’t give solutions”. He said that people are “very nervous” in relation to the odour issue. “They don’t know what they are inhaling,” he said.