I propose to take Questions Nos. 489 and 490 together.
I have been authorised by the Government Decisions to take responsibility for submitting an application to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regularise the licensing status of the East Tip of the Ispat site in relation to the hazardous waste deposited there. It is envisaged that expenditure of €40m will be incurred to undertake the necessary capital works associated with the clean-up of the East Tip. The money is to be channelled from my Department to Cork County Council, and drawn down by the Council as the work is carried out.
Cork County Council has developed a project plan involving seven phases to submit the licence application. It envisages that the preparation of a waste licence application and all associated works to take 12-16 months and based on this timetable it is envisaged that the application will be made to the EPA in autumn of this year. The consideration of the licence by the EPA could take a minimum of nine months which indicates that the licence could be awarded in the summer of 2013.