There has been a warning that both current and future vital research and development jobs at Crumlin-based Randox Laboratories will be being threatened over an application to build an incinerator plant at nearby Glenavy.

SDLP South Antrim MLA Thomas Burns said: "I am not happy that fears raised by Randox have apparently been dismissed by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute while at the same time they give the impression that they are prepared to take a practically unquestioning attitude to the data supplied by Rose Energy.

"As a Committee we have a duty to the public to ensure that we can properly scrutinize all the relevant issues. It is a subject that we must re-visit.

"Like many others across the community and political spectrum I have grave concerns regarding the lack of transparency surrounding the application by Rose Energy. There is a distinct lack of objectivity in terms of the message being put out by the company’s spin doctors."

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Mr Burns continued: "We have to understand what is at stake here. Randox Laboratories is a world leader in the field of supplying diagnostic equipment. Its reputation has been built around a superb commitment to quality in every link of the development and supply chain.

"The massive contribution to the Northern Ireland economy made by Randox in terms of being a recognized world class company must not be compromised. In any other country the Government would be prepared to bend over backwards to protect the priceless image built up by Randox over decades of research and investment.

"Yet we still find ourselves in a situation where that commitment to the future economic wellbeing of Northern Ireland is being put in jeopardy by an animal waste incinerator. Just where are the priorities of the Department of the Environment in all of this?

"Like Randox I also believe that only an independent public enquiry can bring the necessary objectivity to the present impasse.

"If this application by Rose Energy is rubber stamped by the Minister, against the overwhelming mood of public opinion, there will be a significant threat to future job growth and production at its Crumlin base. It is a risk that we simply cannot take," the MLA said.

(NS/BMcc)