I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 49 together.
Detailed reports have been produced by the Environmental Protection Agency and Cork County Council in relation to the incidents at the Hickson Pharmachem and ADM plants. These address, in particular, the environmental impacts and the fire and emergency response aspects.
As regards plant safety, the Minister of State with responsibility for Labour Affairs has requested the Health and Safety Authority, as the national body responsible for workplace safety standards, to conduct a review of all major chemical installations and to communicate their findings to the managements of the works involved.
The Environmental Protection Agency and county council reports indicate that no significant environmental impacts resulted from the ADM incident. As regards the environmental impact of the Hickson incident, the overall conclusion is that significant environmental damage was limited to groundwater contamination. Assessment of the fire and emergency response aspect indicates that the local authority reacted in an appropriate manner and satisfactorily discharged its responsibilities at both incidents.
The Environmental Protection Agency conclusions and recommendations in relation to the Hickson incident are directed primarily at the environmental regulatory authority, Cork County Council, and the company. I have urged that there should be full co-operation between these parties in this regard and the company has confirmed its full support for this approach. The agency will be seeking periodic reports on progress concerning its recommendations from Cork County Council.
The council is to review the air and water licences for the Hickson plant as recommended by the agency and, in accordance with section 56 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992, the Environmental Protection Agency has been requested to advise Cork County Council in relation to these reviews. My Department has also requested all local authorities to review, and report, on their environmental management and control systems in the light of the lessons to be learned from the Environmental Protection Agency reports on these and other incidents.
Cork County Council, in its report, has highlighted the need to review some aspects of its major emergency planning arrangements, notably in the area of communicating information to the public. I understand that this review is in progress. My Department is also undertaking a general review of the guidelines issued to local authorities to assist them in planning for major emergencies.