Vol. 508 No. 5
5 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of requests made to Dúchas in the past two years seeking advice on sites for waste disposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19164/99]
During the period January 1998 to date, Dúchas, the heritage service division of my Department, has received 65 requests from the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, seeking advice on sites for waste disposal and a further 216 inquiries relating to integrated pollution control licences, otherwise known as IPC licences.
What guidelines does Dúchas follow when it visits these sites and is any local historical information gathered?
The Minister is familiar with a local problem in County Clare where we are looking for a site for waste disposal. An intense examination was done of the Kilmaley site but only a peripheral examination was done of the Inagh site where there are many historical details, particularly a cillín, which was used when people were evicted from the church and their land. What guidelines are given to Dúchas? Is there a specific timeframe in which to do this examination? What type of experts are used? Do they consult with the local historians and local people? People in Inagh are dissatisfied that Dúchas approved that site without knowing the history of the area.
I am aware of the issues the Deputy raised as we share the same constituency, Clare. I assure him that there are specific scientific criteria to which the members of Dúchas must adhere. They are professionals who do a job and compile a report.
The site at Kilmaley was one of the sites put forward by the county council as a possible location for a dump. On examination, it was discovered the site had a number of monuments, therefore, it was not appropriate to locate a dump there. As regards Inagh, I agree with the Deputy that local knowledge is important. He made reference to a cillín, which is a children's grave. It was brought to my attention by the local residents that there may be a cillín on the site proposed for the dump in Inagh. As a result, I asked Dúchas to make the necessary inquiries, to look at the site, to make its scientific assessment of it and to report to me. It told me there was no evidence of a cillín. It recognised that the local people believed there was a cillín but it said it did not believe one existed on that site.
I published a historical document which indicates there are mortal remains in the wood where it is proposed to locate the dump. If I give that evidence to the Minister, will she send Dúchas to the site again because it ran in and out of the area during its previous examination?
I am sure Dúchas did a professional job but I have no problem asking it to go there again.
It is a professional runner as well.
I share with the Deputy the sensitivities of this issue. It is important to look at the situation scientifically and to give an answer. I undertake to ask my officials to visit the site once again. One of the problems is that the site is covered with conifers and it may be difficult to get a full appraisal of it.
There is nothing planted on the site.
The conifers surround the cillín. I will ask my officials to visit the site once again and to report back to me.
