Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2010
108 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 420 of 8 July 2008, if she plans to conduct a baseline health study for the Cork Harbour region; the progress made regarding same in the past two years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21244/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has considered the outcome of the site investigations at the former Irish Steel/Ispat site at Haulbowline which were undertaken by environmental consultants on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Government decided that the Office of Public Works would chair a working group to develop a structured and coherent approach to the further management and development of the site with Cork County Council continuing to discharge site management responsibilities on an agency basis. I understand that this Group has now being convened by the OPW. In the light of the Government decision, it is not proposed to conduct a baseline health survey for the Cork Harbour region.
On the matter of human bio-monitoring referred to in my response to the Deputy's earlier question, I can now confirm Ireland has joined an EU wide consortium in relation to two human bio-monitoring (HBM) projects. The objective of this consortium is to develop a coherent approach to HBM in Europe. The consortium has applied to the European Commission for funding in respect of two projects. The first project will concentrate on developing harmonised protocols in order to ensure comparison of subsequent data. The second project will involve a pilot project using the protocols developed in the first project. It is expected that the outcome of the consortium's application will be determined shortly.
