Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

A report was published in 2000 into the presence and influence of lead in the Silvermines area in County Tipperary. In January 1999, the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, had concluded that the Gortmore tailings pond site represented a perpetual risk to human health and the environment. The then Department of Environment and Local Government spent a considerable amount of money remediating the tailings pond without acquiring ownership of the site. Unfortunately, activity now taking place on the site is undoing all of the work that was done in the past by the Department. Locals are extremely concerned. They have suffered for many years because of the presence of lead in the area. What plans does the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment have to bring this situation to a satisfactory conclusion by taking ownership of the tailings pond and making it safe and healthy?

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