Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 July 2008
58 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures being taken to remove hazardous and toxic waste from the former steelworks site at Haulbowline Island; his views on reports that a high level of chromium VI, mercury and other potentially toxic matter was found on and in the vicinity of the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27645/08]
View answer59 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he still considers there is no health risk from the Haulbowline site in Cork Harbour; if so, the reason he intends to carry out a health study on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27698/08]
View answer74 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of material removed from the former Irish Ispat site at Haulbowline, County Cork to date; the location to which this material was transported; the method of transport; whether an analysis for the presence of toxic matter in the material was conducted prior to removal; the results of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27644/08]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 58, 59 and 74 together.
The environmental challenge presented by the former steelworks on Haulbowline is a considerable one. It is the legacy of an industrial past. It is also the case that for many years the steelworks were a significant employer in the Cork area and an important part of the local economy. The site has the potential once again to contribute to the economic, and indeed social, life of the area. This should be kept in mind in dealing with the legacy issue which must first be addressed.
Since 2003 my Department has had responsibility for the management of the facility on an interim basis pending a decision by Government on the future use of the site. This has included enabling a site investigation to be carried out to assist the Government in determining the best option, environmentally and economically, for its future use.
In the light of the situation created by the unauthorised actions of contractors on the site I have moved to address the more immediate, very understandable and legitimate concerns of the local community.
I have made available the entire report on the site investigation, including the full suite of technical data which it generated. I have also made available the reports on the ongoing monitoring of the site which has been carried out over the intervening period. My Department has arranged with the consultants who produced the 2005 report that they will clarify any technical issues which may be raised.
This information is the total of the reports and investigations of the site arranged by my Department. The 2005 report in particular summarises earlier desk studies and, more importantly, reports on comprehensive intrusive site investigation which included extensive analysis of soil, water and air, including sub-surface testing for heavy metals. I base my reassurance to the community on these reports, which have indicated no immediate threat to human health or the environment in the locality, while of course recognising that this is a problematic site which will ultimately require an extensive and co-ordinated resolution.
To further allay the concerns of the community in light of the recent events my Department has now re-engaged the consultants to carry out an independent and rigorous assessment of current site conditions. This assessment is now underway and will involve analysis of soil, slag, dust, surface and ground water samples for all likely contaminants, including heavy metals such as chromium. The results will be published. I will then advise Government for purposes of decision-making on whatever actions are shown to be necessary, including the question of any studies in regard to human health.
Since 2003 my Department has arranged for the removal and proper disposal of a large quantity of waste materials from the site. All the information requested in the question regarding the quantity of waste removed will take some time to collate and will be forwarded as soon as it is available. Examples of materials collected from site to date for certified disposal include:
Licensed radioactive sources and low-level radioactive waste;
Over 10,000 tonnes of scrap metal;
Over 1,000 tonnes of hazardous dust vacuumed from the steelworks buildings before demolition;
Contaminated filter bags from the steelworks dust extraction system;
Various forms of asbestos removed from the steelworks buildings before demolition;
Refractory waste;
Contaminated soil from site clearance;
Contaminated water from site clearance;
Transformer oil;
Electrical capacitors — PCB and Non PCB;
Sulphur hexafluoride gas from circuit breakers;
Assorted gas cylinders;
Battery acid;
Millscale;
Assorted other wastes including timber and plastic.
My Department and other relevant agencies are properly engaged in the management of this legacy site in a manner which is consistent with good practice and minimisation of risk to human health and the environment. A coherent overall approach rather than piecemeal action, which could inadvertently cause problems to the local community and the environment, must be taken and that is the objective being pursued by my Department.
