Update 3.45pm: Archaeologist Avril Purcell said there were no recorded monuments listed in the Record of Monuments and Places within the proposed development site for an incinerator in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, writes Catherine Shanahan.

Neither were there any protected structures, she said, the nearest being the Ringaskiddy Martello Tower.

Ms Purcell, who was speaking on day two of An Bord Pleanala’s oral hearing into plans by Indaver Ireland to build a 240,000 tonnes per annum waste-to-energy facility in Ringaskiddy, said she visited the site on a number of occasions and no new previously unrecorded sites of cultural heritage significance were revealed.

She said monitoring of the Martello Tower will be carried out “as recommended in the technical report of the county archaeologist”.

Furthermore Indaver had committed to implementing a recommendation of Cork County Council that monitoring be carried out during the construction period to ensure that vibrations associated with construction works will not cause damage to the structure.

The hearing continues.

Update 2.52pm: Indaver Ireland has rejected claims that its planned incinerator in Ringaskiddy will be “yet another blot on the landscape of Cork Harbour”, writes Catherine Shanahan.

Architect John Kelly said the proposed 240,000 tonnes per annum waste-to-energy facility would not be obtrusive.

Mr Kelly, an expert witness on behalf of Indaver Ireland, said the proposed E160m incinerator would be “another part of the evolution of Cork Harbour and part of a continual process of change”.

Mr Kelly, of Brady, Shipman, Martin architects, said it was “notable that the chief executive of Cork County Council has deemed the proposals, in the context of emerging and potential tourist facilities, to be acceptable in principle and that the visual impact is acceptable”.

Earlier:

The impact on human health of living near an incinerator will be “negligible” based on all the available evidence, according to occupational health specialist, Dr Martin Hogan.

Speaking on day two of An Bord Pleanála’s oral hearing into proposals by waste management company Indaver Ireland to build an incinerator in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, Dr Hogan said extensive modelling and experience with similar facilities meant “we can be confident that there will be negligible impact on human health of the proposed facility”.

In response to concerns that the site is too close to houses and centres of population with potential for toxins and other emissions to have an effect, Dr Martin Hogan said modelling had shown “no residence, place of work or educational facility will be adversely affected and Air Quality Standards will not be breached”.

Dr Hogan is one of a number of expert witnesses speaking today on behalf of Indaver Ireland at the oral hearing.

It is Indaver’s third application for planning permission since 2001.

The company is proposing to build a €160m, 240,000 tonnes per annum waste-to-energy facility at the tip of the Ringaskiddy peninsula.