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Fire Safety

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 May 2022

Wednesday, 11 May 2022

Ceisteanna (75)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

75. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the concerns raised by members of the Dublin Airport Environmental Working Group at its meeting of 17 November 2021 in relation to the use of aqueous film forming foam at Dublin Airport given the introduction of the Convention through Regulation EU 2019/1021 and Regulation EU 2020/784; the assurances that his Department can give that the Dublin Airport Authority has been in full compliance with the regulations pertaining to the use of the foam; the assurances that can be given by his Department that the foam has not entered the local water supply systems in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23554/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to thank the Deputy for her question. I understand that concerns relating to the use of firefighting foams or Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), were raised at a meeting of the Dublin Airport Environmental Working Group which took place in November 2021. The daa has advised my Department that these concerns were immediately addressed by the daa, with representatives in attendance confirming full compliance with all relevant regulations with respect to AFFF. This remains the case and daa has advised my Department that it has continued to maintain full compliance with the regulations, as stated, to this date.

Firefighting foams used by the Dublin Airport Fire Service comply with all restrictions relating to PFAS (Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), including Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and their use is continually monitored to ensure best practice and adherence to relevant regulatory guidance.

Watercourses that run-off from Dublin airport have undergone regular sampling and analysis for many pollutant types, including specific monitoring programmes at appropriate locations and/or in response to new classifications of chemicals or pollutants. As an emerging pollutant of interest to European Environment Agency (EEA), PFAS related monitoring at appropriate locations is ongoing. daa have advised that results from these monitoring programmes will continue to be shared with the local community at regular intervals.

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