Vol. 504 No. 5
98 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason for the recent accident at Irish Fertiliser Industries, Cobh, County Cork; the action, if any, taken as a result; if she has satisfied herself that the plant poses no further dangers to employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12452/99]
The National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health is the statutory body responsible for the promotion of occupational safety and health and for the day to day administration and enforcement of relevant statutory provisions in this area.
I am advised by the authority that it is still continuing its investigation into the circumstances which led to an accident at IFI's Marino Point plant in County Cork on Sunday, 25 April 1999.
Initial investigations show that two people were injured when a small steam driven turbine disintegrated. This turbine was driving a pump, which handles a solution used to remove carbon dioxide from process gas. Process gas is a mixture of nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and water. There is no evidence to support media reports of an ammonia pump failure and there is no information to suggest that there was any risk of a toxic release which could endanger the public.
Following the incident the company initiated an emergency shutdown, which is a noisy process and entails the flaring off of gas. Prior to recommencing production the company took measures to prevent a recurrence of this type of accident.
