Waste Management.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 February 2010

Tuesday, 16 February 2010

Ceisteanna (471)

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

530 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the call by the manager of Cork County Council, he plans to establish an expert committee to deal with concerns regarding the toxic waste dump at Haulbowline Island in view of the fact that the cancer rates in the areas adjacent to the island are up to 40% higher than the national average; his plans to alleviate local concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7936/10]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy John Gormley)

As previously advised, the Government has decided that the Office of Public Works (OPW) will chair a working group to develop a structured and coherent approach to the further management and development of the site of the former steelworks on Haulbowline Island. The establishment and convening of this group is a matter for the OPW and my Department will be represented on the group. In regard to the terms of reference of the group, my Department has recommended to the OPW that a suitable mechanism be put in place for ongoing dialogue with local communities to ensure that the group can take account of their views in arriving at an overall approach.