Naval Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2016

Tuesday, 5 July 2016

Questions (698)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

698. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 38 of 21 June 2016, regarding the potential strategic implications of the planned waste incinerator, currently in the planning permission process, on the Naval Service headquarters in County Cork, his Department's contingency plans, should this planning permission be granted; the next steps in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19341/16]

Written answers

Taoiseach and Minister for Defence

The Department of Defence, following consultation with the Air Corps and the Naval Service, recently made an oral submission to an Bord Pleanála regarding the proposed development of the waste to energy facility in Ringaskiddy. The submission identified two areas of concern, the proximity of the incinerator stack to Haulbowline and the difficulties in the evacuation of the island if necessitated by an incident at the incinerator facility.

As the planning application on the building of an incinerator in Ringaskiddy is currently under consideration by An Bord Pleanála it is not proposed to anticipate the outcome. The operational requirements of the Defence Forces will be reviewed in the context of the planning decision in due course.