I am pleased to have this opportunity to raise with the Minister a matter which is of grave concern and worry to parents in Loughshinny. St. Catherine's estate and the village of Rush in my constituency. The matter relates to the obnoxious smells which have emanated from the gas shore terminal since the pipeline came into operation. However, three weeks ago the smell got so bad that children living in the area complained of headaches and stomach pains. Adults in the area also complained that their children were more prone to chest ailments.
I congratulate my Labour Party colleague, Deputy Emmet Stagg, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications, for the interest he has taken in this issue since I first brought it to his attention. However, given the gravity of the situation, it is imperative that the Minister puts on record what action his Department and Bord Gais Éireann have taken or propose to take to resolve this problem. The people of Loughshinny are not prepared to accept promises; they demand action.
A considerable number of the children living in the area developed headaches and stomach complaints. In other cases, children were kept away from school and some of those who went to school were forced to remain indoors during their lunch break because of the effects of the smell. Teachers and parents became extremely concerned about the situation and in desperation a parents' action committee was formed. Given the promises that have been made by Bord Gais Éireann on previous occasions and its repeated statements that there are no health risks associated with the odourisation process, the committee was not reassured.
In an effort to highlight their concerns the parents contacted the media and a number of local public representatives. I visited the gas station two weeks ago and spoke to a number of constituents about this problem. They were very angry. In the national interest the people of Loughshinny and Rush have fully co-operated with Bord Gais Éireann in the construction of the new pipeline and gas shore terminal in Loughshinny, particularly given its proximity to local housing developments. They were not informed they would have to put up with such an obnoxious smell and potential danger for the rest of their lives and are not prepared to accept it.
On behalf of my constituents I request that the odourant top-up facility at Loughshinny be relocated and in this regard, I ask the Minister of State to consider the possibility of transferring this facility to Scotland. Mr. Tim O'Leary of Bord Gais Éireann has contacted me and local residents to explain the position. However, the Minister should reassure the people of north County Dublin that the necessary action will be taken to ensure there will not be a recurrence of this appalling situation. Furthermore, the health and welfare of local people is paramount. Accordingly, it is of the utmost importance that the concerns of local people are addressed and answered.
I compliment the parents' action committee and the Loughshinny and district community association for highlighting this important issue and for stating clearly that enough is enough. I look forward to the Minister of State's response.
