Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020
913. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the newly developed public park on the site of the former Irish Steel plant at Haulbowline, County Cork, will open to the general public; when the land will be formally transferred to Cork County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4201/20]
View answerI understand that the Deputy is referring to the former waste disposal site known as the East Tip on Haulbowline Island.
Last October, charge of the site was returned to Cork County Council which acts as my Agent for operational matters at Haulbowline. This followed the successful conclusion of the remediation works contract. The Council has requested permission to operate the site as a public recreational amenity. It is important to note that the main occupancy of the island is the headquarters for the Irish Naval Service and the Government has accordingly decided that ownership of the island will transfer to the Minister for Defence. My Department, acquired ownership of Haulbowline Island to enable remediation of the East Tip. My Department remains actively engaged with representatives of the Department of Defence and Cork County Council to put in place the appropriate mechanisms to transfer ownership of the island to the Department of Defence and to finalise a lease for the Council, to facilitate the operation of the recreational amenity.
The ultimate opening date of the facility will be a matter for Cork County Council in due course.
