Bernard Allen
Ceist:229 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Labour if he will publish the results of his Department's investigations into the incident at a plant (details supplied) in County Cork in December 1988.
Written Answers. - Explosion at County Cork Plant.
The Deputy's question relates to the explosion on 23 December, 1988 at the Marino Point plant of Irish Fertilizer Industries (IFI). Immediately following the explosion, industrial inspectors of my Department carried out a series of investigations and had extensive consultations with the company. Following their inquiries, the inspectorate reported to me that the incident occurred due to metal fatigue failure of a weld and subsequent rupture on a section of 24 inch pipe which was conveying process gases, resulting in an explosion and fire. There were no personal injuries as a result of the incident and damage was largely confined to the plant.
Since the plant restarted production in February, 1989, the inspectorate, which is now part of the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health, have visited the site on five occasions and have had monthly contact with the management of the company.
The company has taken measures to prevent a recurrence of that incident including monthly radiological checks of the pipe welds in that part of the plant that previously failed. The monthly examinations continue to show no defects in the relevant structure. The company has also continued to evaluate various design options for maintaining plant safety. The inspectors of the Authority will continue to monitor the operation of the plant.
I am sure that the results of the investigation as described in my answer will contribute towards reducing the anxieties of people in the area.