asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware of the noise and dust coming from the Irish Steel plant in Haulbowline; if his Department have made any representations to Irish Steel Ltd. about this and the rubbish and steel from this plant which is on Naval Service property; if he considers it appropriate for a steel plant to be adjacent to a Naval Base; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Haulbowline Naval Base.
27.
Irish Steel Ltd., with the approval of the Government, are carrying out a major redevelopment programme involving the refurbishment of the company's premises and the re-equipping of their steel-making and rolling plant. My Department are making available to Irish Steel Ltd. limited facilities on their property to assist the company while the re-development work is in progress. The company will be asked to carry out a general cleaning-up when the installation of the new plant has been completed.
A steel-making plant has been located at Haulbowline for more than 40 years. Irish Steel Ltd. have a long lease of the area allocated to the company. While the shared use of Haulbowline creates inconveniences for both my Department and the company, the arrangement in general has worked reasonably well. A bridge to Haulbowline provided by the company is beneficial to the operation of the naval base.