Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

Otherwise, he would take an interest in this matter and would be able to give us the information today. I understand the EPA has no list of such toxic dumps that may exist throughout the country. We can only speculate, but in the absence of the information the Minister refuses to give me today, I believe it is disingenuous of him to say he cannot get it in view of the fact that he could assemble all the facts about Haulbowline. Will the Minister say what core sampling and testing was carried out in the Haulbowline case in particular? Where were the samples tested before the State took over the site and after the revelations that came through his Department in the past few weeks? What is the testing process so that we may ensure that a bona fide problem exists, which can be resolved?

Will the Minister give an undertaking to the House to compile a list of potential difficulties to public health in various sites around the country? Will he instruct his Department officials to get such a list from the EPA, and the local authorities immediately to determine what the risk to public health is, if any?

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