asked the Minister for Energy the progress to date in his review of the controls for handling asbestos waste by the ESB following the discovery of 17 unburied bags at Portarlington, County Laois.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Asbestos Waste.
25.
Deputies will be aware that I recently met ESB senior management when I raised the handling by the ESB of the disposal of asbetos waste at Portarlington. I expressed my concern at the apparently serious lapse in the very high standards expected of the ESB. I asked the ESB what steps they now intend to take to strengthen controls to avoid a recurrence of this type of incident and I have been assured that the disposal of asbestos waste by the ESB will in future conform to the highest international standards. The ESB are making a full report on the matter to the local authority and the Department of the Environment.
Can the Minister indicate, in the light of this discovery, if he has asked for regular reports to be made available to his Department so as to assure him that waste is being disposed of in an adequate manner by the ESB?
As I indicated, I have had discussions with the management of the ESB in respect of this matter. I have made it clear that I am alarmed at this lapse and I am anxious to ensure that there is no recurrence. I have been assured by the ESB that they will ensure that waste will be disposed of in a manner which conforms to the highest international standards. The regular reporting on environmental matters is really a matter for the Department of the Environment.
Would the Minister consider requesting the ESB to make available regular one line reports to his Department giving the necessary assurance?
To be truthful, I am more concerned with the ESB disposing of asbestos in a manner which conforms to the highest international standards than with the making available of one line statements to me.
How else will the Minister know? Is he going to go out and check every bag?
I have my ways.