David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

I join other Deputies in congratulating the newly appointed Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, and wishing him all the best for the future. I know he will do a great job.

I would like to mention two environmental issues relating to the town of Youghal in east Cork. One of the beaches in the town was the subject of an unfavourable report yesterday. I understand that until quite recently, the water quality at the beach was found to be excellent. It passed all the tests because it was top class. However, it failed one of the ten tests which were undertaken over a period of time on 17 July 2007. I understand there were exceptional circumstances on the day in question. It seems that heavy rainfall may have resulted in effluent being washed into the sea. The beach failed one of the tests as a result. Perhaps the matter could be reconsidered — the beach could be tested again — in light of the exceptional circumstances which prevailed on the day in question. The report brought out this week relates to 17 July of last year. The beach was closed at the time. When the water quality was tested afterwards, it was found to be okay. We need to examine all these matters because they just do not add up.

It is unfair that such a poor reflection of Youghal is being portrayed. The treatment plant being developed in the town was supposed to have been up and running in 2007, but that has not happened yet. I ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to ensure the project is completed as quickly as possible. Youghal is a beautiful tourist town in a scenic area. We do not want any further delays. The development needs to be pursued vigorously. The Department should ensure there are no delays.

The second environmental issue relates to the landfill site in Youghal, the only facility of that nature in the south Cork area. Those living in the area have complained to me about the noxious smells in the locality. The smell from the landfill site is causing them to wake as early as 6 a.m., even though their windows are closed. That is not good enough. I have been speaking to representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency, who are doing their best, and to the council, but more needs to be done. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, was written to last June about this matter but he said that he has no role to play and that it is up to the EPA. It is not right that people in Youghal cannot go about their business. They are taxpayers, yet they must put up with this foul, nauseating odour. It is not a case of saying "Not in my back yard" because they do not mind having the landfill there provided resources are put in place to run it properly. The EPA, the council and the Minister should do their jobs. I am representing my constituents in this matter which is unfair to them. I am sure the Minister of State would agree with me if he could not sleep at night, even with the windows closed, because he was living near such a landfill site.

I am worried about the onset of summer because warmer weather will create more foul conditions from the sludge at the landfill site. Last summer, flies swarmed into houses from that site, which posed a health risk. The Minister of State should re-examine the matter to see what can be done about it. The situation is having a really negative impact on local people's health and quality of life.

I ask the Minister of State to investigate water quality at the local beach, which was found to be polluted. A treatment plant is urgently required. He should also examine the regime in place for testing water quality. Noxious odours emanating from the waste treatment plant and another facility need to be put right.

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