Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Jan 1999

Vol. 499 No. 1

Written Answers. - Environmental Health.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

537 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the scale of works undertaken by a company (details supplied) at the tailings pond at Gortmore, Carrigatogher, Nenagh, County Tipperary and the occurrences which have taken place recently involving the removal of the protective layer from the top of the pond and the danger this poses to public health and agriculture; the actions, if any, he proposes to take on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28447/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I am advised that the problem referred to was caused by animals grazing on the protective grass layer on top of the site. Tipperary County Council (North Riding) is the statutory authority dealing with this matter. Council officials are in contact with the local environmental health officers and the Environmental Protection Agency. The latest information available is that the animals were removed from the site by the owner and monitoring and sampling of watercourses in the vicinity of the site is being carried out to ensure thare is no danger to water supplies in the area.