Ms Darina Allen has urged An Bord Pleanála to refuse permission for the construction of a toxic waste incinerator in Ringaskiddy on grounds that it would threaten Ireland's image as a producer of "clean and green" food.
The TV cook and founder of the internationally acclaimed cookery school at Ballymaloe in east Cork was speaking on the fourth day of the oral hearing in Cork into Indaver Ireland's proposed €93 million incinerator facility at Ringaskiddy.
Ms Allen told the hearing yesterday in the Neptune basketball stadium that the incinerator proposed by Indaver would jeopardise Ireland's image.
"We're seen as a clean, green island where we produce fresh, naturally produced food. That image is crucially important to our future prosperity."
The risk to tourism and exports could not be ignored.
"That image is vital for our agriculture and tourist industry," she added. "There's a lot at stake here and we can and must explore the alternatives. We really mustn't go down this route until we have exhausted every other possible avenue - until we have reduced, reused and recycled."
Evidence was earlier given by a Greenpeace scientist who claimed that potential accidents at the proposed incinerator could result in residents becoming infertile or developing cancer.
Dr David Santillo told the hearing that a fire at the plant could see the emission of a variety of toxic substances, which would have a range of harmful effects.
Having ruled that the oral hearing would not hear any submissions made on environmental or health grounds, the inspector conducting the hearing, Mr Philip Jones, said he would be seeking the advice of the board as to the admissibility of Dr Santillo's evidence.