Vol. 444 No. 1
8 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Environment the progress made with regard to implementing the recommendations of the Environmental Protection Agency arising from the fire at the Hickson Chemical Plant, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
, (Wexford): The Environmental Protection Agency recommendations in relation to the Hickson incident were directed at the environmental regulatory authority, Cork County Council, and the company. These recommendations were independently formulated by the agency which is also responsible for their followup and has reported on progress with their implementation.
I made regulations in April 1994 to commence the integrated pollution control licensing function of the Environmental Protection Agency from 16 May. The Hickson chemical plant must apply to the agency for an integrated licence by 1 September and this process now provides the appropriate context for pursuing the recommendations of the agency. I understand that discussions have commenced between the company and the agency with a view to the submission of a licence application by the due date.
Does the Minister of State recall the environmental tragedy last summer when explosions and accidents occurred at a number of industrial plants, including the Hickson plant? Has the recommendation on a review of the licences, particularly to this plant, been implemented and, if so, what was the outcome? Have the Department or the Environmental Protection Agency carried out an audit of the chemical industry with regard to compliance with anti-pollution legislation and regulations? Can the Minister of State assure the public that we will not see a repeat this summer of what happened last year when week after week there were serious industrial accidents threatening the safety of employees, the general public and the local environment?
(Wexford): The Environmental Protection Agency made 11 recommendations to Cork County Council and the Hickson plant. In a report issued in January this year the Environmental Protection Agency stated that a number of the recommendations had been implemented. As I felt that progress in implementing the recommendations was slow, in April I made regulations setting out the detailed procedures for the integrated pollution control licensing function of the Environmental Protection Agency. In so doing I brought existing large scale chemical and hazardous waste incinerating activities under Environmental Protection Agency control. The Hickson Pharmachem plant must apply to the Environmental Protection Agency for an integrated pollution licence. I am satisfied that the Environmental Protection Agency, having carried out a review, will take complete control of the Hickson Pharmachem plant application and will ensure that the recommendations it made will be implemented.
Who is now responsible for monitoring at the Hickson plant — Cork County Council or the Environmental Protection Agency?
(Wexford): Cork County Council will be responsible until 1 September when the Hickson plant must apply for a licence. The Environmental Protection Agency will take over responsibility from that date. The company is involved in discussions with the Environmental Protection Agency with a view to the submission of an application for an integrated licence. The application format and details are new, extensive and complex and the agency has adopted a policy of having pre-application discussions with companies involved in the interests of a clear understanding of and efficient compliance with all requirements.
Is the Minister of State satisfied that the Environmental Protection Agency has sufficient teeth to deal with crises given that its main function appears to be to make plentiful recommendations? Is he satisfied that there has been no prosecution since last August in respect of this accident, one of a number which has been mentioned? Why has no action been taken to remedy the failure of a water supply, the capacity to hold fire water, the extent of ground water contamination, to enforce changes in air monitoring——
I ask for brevity. I must facilitate other Deputies.
In terms of action the 11 recommendations have gone unnoticed. Will the Minister examine the Environmental Protection Agency in the light of the debate which will be held in the House this week and put in place the necessary means to deal with such accidents rather than tinkering with them through public relations?
(Wexford): At the time of this incident the Environmental Protection Agency had only recently been established. It responded fittingly and made a comprehensive report and sufficient recommendations on the matter. The Environmental Protection Agency now has a staff of 100 and was allocated £4.5 million this year. In April last I was satisfied that it had the necessary staff to commence the integrated pollution control licensing function. I have no doubt it will carry out a through review of the Hickson licence and its new application and ensure that the recommendations it made last September are fully implemented.
It has no power.
