Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 September 2019
171. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the remediation of Haulbowline Island has been completed; if not, when it is expected to be completed; the estimated cost of the project; the amount spent to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38027/19]
View answerMy Department assumed responsibility for remediation works at Haulbowline Island on behalf of the Irish Government in 2012 with a particular focus on bringing about compliance with the terms of a CJEU judgment (Case C-494/01) under the Waste Framework Directive concerning the East Tip site. Funding for the remediation project is currently provided to my Department, in accordance with the specific conditions set out by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, on an annual basis up to the completion date of the remediation works.
Expenditure by my Department at the end of 2018 stood at €23m. This figure is comprised of expenditure on regularising the planning and licensing requirements for the East Tip remediation, engaging in preparatory works, completing necessary site investigations amongst other elements and the remediation works on the East Tip itself.
The East Tip works are the most significant element of the remediation project. In the period up to 2017, expenditure was focussed on preparing for and securing the necessary planning and waste licence consents for the East Tip remediation and upgrading the island infrastructure in anticipation of works. Following the signing of contracts in July 2017, the remediation works commenced and, in December 2018, I visited the site to see that the works had been substantially completed. Activity in 2019 to date has involved the resolution of minor finishing works and the completion of the access road to the site.
While the priority has been remediation of the East Tip, work on assessing a suitable solution for the former steelworks factory site has also been advanced in preparation for the next phase of the remediation project. Detailed site investigations have been undertaken and the preparation of an application for planning consent has also been advanced. The Government has decided that the Minister for Defence will be the ultimate owner of Haulbowline Island, in keeping with the main occupancy of the island being the headquarters for the Irish Naval Service. Any remediation solution for these areas will need to be cognisant of their likely long term use.
The Department of Defence has advised that it has engaged specialist engineers to examine the areas in question in order to explore the potential of these areas for naval operations in the future which will inform and direct remediation works in the first instance. Information from site investigation studies and assessments to date has been made available to the Department of Defence to assist in this work.
