Vol. 560 No. 1
298 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Finance the situation regarding the ownership of the former Irish Ispat site at Haulbowline in County Cork; the responsibility of the State towards its clean-up; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2165/03]
Under section 5 of the State Property Act 1954, all State property was vested in the Minister for Finance. In this case, this property held by Irish Steel Limited on Haulbowline Island under a lease dated 22 May 1996 and made between the Minister for Finance, the Minister for the Defence and the Marine and Irish Steel Limited, was demised to that company for a term of 35 years. Irish Steel was subsequently sold on 30 May 1996 and the company's name changed to Irish Ispat. Irish Ispat Limited is in voluntary liquidation at present and the liquidator is seeking, through the courts, to disclaim the lease.
As regards the clean-up of the site, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources commissioned a preliminary environmental assessment report on behalf of the Departments concerned, but as this matter is now before the courts and it is sub judice, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the clean-up or the associated costs.
