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11/07/2007
Health fears over 'toxic bonfires'
A member of the local Assembly has called for tough targets for carbon emissions to be attached for funding for bonfires.
Stormont Environment Committee chairman Patsy McGlone spoke amid health fears for those living close to the Ballycraigy pyre in Antrim, that toxic fumes could damage their health.
SDLP member Mr McGlone said: “It makes a mockery of statutory agencies where these thugs are intimidating the people of their own areas to erect these things close to houses.
“The issue could be looked at in the context of environmental governance in terms of cutting carbon emissions from events sponsored by local councils.”
The debris at the bonfire site at Ballycraigy is the height of two houses and there have been calls for it to be demolished to protect people nearby.
Mr McGlone said the matter was discussed at a meeting of Cookstown District Council last night.
“Council officials have been commissioned to draw up eco-friendly guidelines for funding and the conditions for funding were to be that they comply with the environmental targets,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Department of Environment said that despite illegal materials being burned on the bonfire, it would not be extinguished unless it became a matter of public safety.
(JM/KMcA)
Stormont Environment Committee chairman Patsy McGlone spoke amid health fears for those living close to the Ballycraigy pyre in Antrim, that toxic fumes could damage their health.
SDLP member Mr McGlone said: “It makes a mockery of statutory agencies where these thugs are intimidating the people of their own areas to erect these things close to houses.
“The issue could be looked at in the context of environmental governance in terms of cutting carbon emissions from events sponsored by local councils.”
The debris at the bonfire site at Ballycraigy is the height of two houses and there have been calls for it to be demolished to protect people nearby.
Mr McGlone said the matter was discussed at a meeting of Cookstown District Council last night.
“Council officials have been commissioned to draw up eco-friendly guidelines for funding and the conditions for funding were to be that they comply with the environmental targets,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Department of Environment said that despite illegal materials being burned on the bonfire, it would not be extinguished unless it became a matter of public safety.
(JM/KMcA)
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