Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 October 2004
239 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he supports the application by the IDA to be permitted to store 40,000 tonnes of waste that was illegally dumped at its site at Belcamp, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26580/04]
View answerThe management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio, including decisions regarding location and size of land owned by the authority, are day-to-day operational matters for the authority and not matters in which I have a function.
IDA Ireland has informed me that it purchased approximately 48 hectares, 120 acres, in five lots from separate owners at Belcamp, County Dublin, in 1997. As is standard practice, a site acquisition report was prepared by consultants engaged by the agency, which involved opening sample trial pits on the land. This report did not indicate any impediments with the purchase of the site and subsequently the purchase was executed.
In June 2001, illegal waste was discovered on approximately two acres of this land when Dublin City Council contractors were conducting excavation works for the laying of the major north fringe sewer. The nature of the illegal waste discovered is bio-hazardous clinical/general waste and, from analysis, was deposited in the 1980s prior to IDA Ireland acquiring the land. IDA Ireland has begun legal proceeding against the vendors in regard to this matter and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.
Since the discovery, IDA Ireland's primary concern has been, and continues to be, health and safety. The agency took immediate action by fencing off the area, erecting signage and capping the area with clean soil pending the implementation of a solution.
IDA Ireland has assured me that it is managing the situation according to best international practice. It appointed experts to advise on the extent of the problem and its implications with particular emphasis on health, safety and environmental issues. Specialist environmental consultants were retained to provide expert advice on solutions and extensive consultations with the appropriate regulatory and local authorities were held.
The containment solution was proposed to IDA following consultations with the experts as the best means of solving the problem and addressing concerns regarding the welfare of the surrounding community and environment. This containment solution is the subject of a recent planning application by IDA Ireland to the planning authorities, Fingal County Council and Dublin City Council, as the land straddled both council areas.
