Vol. 402 No. 5
145 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to a specially commissioned report on the Cork city sanitary landfill site, which revealed dangerous levels of methane, butane build-up and leachate seepage; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
146 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for the Environment if he will provide the necessary funds to Cork Corporation and Cork County Council to initiate a programme of recycling and alternative methods of waste disposal; and to develop a landfill facility which is contained and properly monitored and suitably distant from housing.
147 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Cork city sanitary landfill site contains remnants of original marsh, after which Cork has been named and has been an important sanctuary for bird and plant life; that Cork Corporation are taking insufficient steps to maintain and properly cherish this site; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
148 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Cork city sanitary landfill site is marshy and does not, therefore, have the proper topographical base to properly contain the site for the usage to which it is put; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
149 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in accordance with the EC Directives 75/422 and 78/319 Cork Corporation drafted waste development and special waste development plans in 1985 outlining the unsuitability of the Cork city sanitary landfill site and the type of work necessary to make the site viable; that little has been done since to implement these plans; that EC Directives have been loosely applied and the ratification of future directives will be almost impossible to implement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
150 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in relation to the Cork city sanitary landfill site, that waste produced by pharmaceutical companies not operating within Cork Corporation's boundaries is being dumped in the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
151 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for the Environment if, in relation to the Cork city sanitary landfill site, his attention has been drawn to the fact that animal waste and offal is being disposed of in this site, despite a ban by Cork County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
152 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for the Environment whether the health effects of the Cork city sanitary landfill site have been properly monitored; and, if so, if he will outline the details of such monitoring.
153 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for the Environment if, in relation to the Cork city sanitary landfill site, his attention has been drawn to the fact that Cork Corporation are extending the site to within 100 feet of housing; that the corporation have stated that this site would cease to be used in 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 to 153, inclusive, together. These questions relate principally to matters within the competence of the local authorities concerned, which are responsible for waste management and planning in their areas.
A landfill site has operated at Kinsale Road for many years. Originally situated in Cork county, it became part of Cork city as a result of a boundary extension in 1965. Since 1985, and with the assistance of grants from my Department totalling £325,000, this site has been developed as a co-disposal facility to cater for both domestic and industrial wastes on a regional catchment basis. The site is an important element in the waste plans adopted by Cork Corporation and its continued use is envisaged for many years.
Cork Corporation are now responsible for the management of the Kinsale Road site and for the range of wastes accepted for disposal in it. The management/ monitoring regime for the site takes account of leachate effects, landfill gas and rodent and pest control requirements.
Cork Corporation have engaged consultants to recommend a long term strategy for the improved management of the Kinsale Road site. An interim report has identified the first phase of this strategy and as a result certain new measures, including a landfill gas migration control system, have already been implemented. The final consultants' report will identify other management and engineering measures necessary to improve the protection of air, water, soil, biota and visual amenities.
I am not aware of proposals for the extension, as such, of the Kinsale Road site. Any substantial modification of the present facility would be likely to require environmental impact assessment.
Both major Cork local authorities are involved in supporting recycling/ alternative waste disposal activities.
