Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)

Two issues are at stake here, namely, public safety and the possibility of a cover-up. In her response, the Minister of State said that sub-surface excavation of waste was not part of the Department's contract with Hammond Lane Limited owing to the potential extent and nature of the waste. Does that imply that this material was not known about and was discovered by accident? If so, serious concerns arise. This is not a contracting issue, but a matter of public safety and a Government cover-up.

What action has the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government taken today? He is in Cork city at present attending to Green Party business in advance of next year's local elections. Has he been to Ringaskiddy in his ministerial car? Has he been on the telephone to the Cork county manager and the chief executive of the Environmental Protection Agency and arranged a meeting with them to get this matter in hand? Given his duty of care responsibilities, what plans does he have to reassure the local community and particularly staff working on the Haulbowline site regarding the future of the area and the greater harbour region?

In her reply, the Minister of State referred to a risk assessment but such an assessment was carried out on the site six years ago. What were the contents of that risk assessment? Will the new risk assessment conflict with the one carried out in 2002 and will it give us different information? Were the risks presenting referred to in the report published six years ago? Where did that report go? How accurate was that risk assessment in light of what we read in today's Irish Examiner?

On the "News at One" today, the Minister said he has had difficulties gathering information. This week we witnessed a directive being implemented through a statutory instrument without the Minister coming before the House. The Minister has a raft of options through which he can acquire the information he needs. He can obtain it by circular letter, statutory instrument or directive. There is no excuse for the Minister having difficulties getting information. That is nonsense. The Minister should consider her reply to this particular question. In her response, the Minister of State spoke about how slag heaps are now being put back in. Up to a number of years ago, there were a considerable number of slag heaps on this site. I understand that several hundred tonnes of these were removed to provide the underlay for roadwork programmes. One must ask where this slag has gone, particularly in respect of what is happening today. Is this material in roads in Ireland or somewhere in Europe? Has somebody gone away to examine where this material is located and whether is it safe? In light of the mismanagement and inaccuracy of the health and safety information we received on this matter, this is a matter of importance that needs to be sorted out immediately.

My own contacts in Haulbowline this afternoon have told me that there is no public or information notice there this evening telling members of the Naval Service or civilian staff who work on this site whether it safe for them to go to work tomorrow.

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