Facilitator Marye: Miret, 19 present.

AGENDA;

• Announcements.
• Post card campaign.
• Amnesty update.
• CSF event in March-progress report.
• Incinerator at Ringaskiddy.
• Toxic spill in Kilnamartra.Cork Civic Forum.

ANNOUNCEMENTS.Marye let us know about the Cork Anti-War benefit & celebration for Fintan Lane to be held at An Spailpin Fanach in Cork on sat 24th january, and also the Afri conference to be held on 24th and 25th january in Kildare. It was Hoped that someone from the forum would be able to attend.

POST CARD CAMPAIGN.Axel reported back from the anti-arms trade meeting on 12th jan. It has been decided to print 5000 postcards, using Axel's "missile" image. 1000 of the cards will go to Amnesty and a further 1000 to AfrI. These will be pre-printed with a choice of 2 addresses, half to the E.U. and half to the trade and enterprise board Entemp. The rest will go to local groups with a view to sending them to local arms manufacturers, councils, TDs etc., and should have address stickers to go with them.The cards will carry the words "MADE IN IRELAND" on the front, beneath the image, and the words "ARMS TRADE OUT OF IRELAND" on the reverse. AfrI have offered €200 towards the cost of printing. Hannah pointed out that the addresses must be very clear to avoid the going astray or return of cards, as has happened with some other campaign cards.

AMNESTY UPDATE.Brian filled us in on the latest Amnesty campaigns. The first of these concerns the disappearance of women in Mexico, and as well as a letter-writing campaign to the Mexican government, there is to be a talk on the subject on Thursday 22nd january in the O'Rahilly building at U.C.C., from 3-5pm.There are more letter campaigns with regard to human rights and executions in Iran and Malaysia, accidents at derivative coke mines in Peru, and the torture trade. The Imagine campaign, using the words of the John Lennon song, is to promote the declaration of the rights of the child, and Valentine's day (14th feb) will be a bracelet day to raise money for the street children of Guatemala. Full details of all these campaigns on www.amnesty.ie

CSF EVENT.Lily reported that Manch house had proved to be unsuitable as a venue. Other possible halls were the Beda hall at Ballinneen, which could hold 400, but would cost €30 per hour, which would add up to around €600 for the weekend, or Ballinhassig hall which would cost €250 for the whole weekend. Ballingeary hall was very cheap (€20 per day) and friendly but much too small. Ballinhassig has the added advantage that they will allow music or other entertainment which may be useful for the Saturday night. Whichever venue is chosen, the forum will have to have public liability insurance. There had been quotes of €300 for a single event, and €500 for the whole year, so a year's policy seemed to be the sensible option. An Open Space facilitator has been found for the event, and it was agreed to have a meeting with him and all in the events group on Sunday 25th at Lily's place.

INCINERATORS.John reported that planners have given the go-ahead for a toxic waste incinerator at Ringaskiddy. Local people were dead against this, and there has been talk of a judicial review. However, he said that there was a disheartened feeling among the campaigners, that a camp may be set up and if so they will need our support. This highlighted the need for a zero waste policy, and contact with others campaigning on this issue, as it is a good opportunity to act. It was felt that we must be able to offer positive solutions to the waste problem, and that we could be working with schools, giving talks on toxic waste/what is it//what is being made that produces it?/what is being made from it? A public meeting was proposed, with possibly Rosalyn Bartell as a speaker, and also people from Blackwater Development and CHASE. It was also felt that we should know more about the companies (mostly pharmacuetical) who want to use the incinerator.Bob agreed to contact people who had been involved in the successful campaign to stop an incinerator at Youghal.

TOXIC SPILL IN KILNAMARTRA.Mike spoke of health problems in Kilnamartra, following a spill of toxic chemicals at the local sawmill. Chromium IV and Arsenic, both used in the tanalising process for fenceposts, had been allowed to leak into the water supply, causing widespread illness. Water testing had not been thorough and the ongoing spillage has not been dealt with. It was recommended that samples should be taken for independent tests at St. Finbarrs Hospital and the science departments at

U.C.C.CORK CIVIC FORUM.Noel let us know about the Cork Civic Forum on Friday 6th feb in City Hall. The theme will be Dialogue in a Multicultural Society, with the purpose of opening up communication with policy-makers. Full details below.

NEXT MEETING MONDAY 16TH FEBRUARY, 8PM, CREEDON'S.

Brian O'Donoghue agreed to facilitate.

From January onwards, meetings will be on the third Monday of every month at Creedon's Hotel, Inchigeelagh, unless otherwise stated.