Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

A toxic time bomb is ticking at RUSAL Alumina near Askeaton. I remember visiting it when it was Aughinish Alumina, almost ten years ago, and meeting local campaigner Pat Geoghegan, who I believe the Taoiseach met when he was Minister for Health. I saw a massive, red mud storage area, which is now so big it can be seen from space. It comprises 50 million tonnes of toxic waste with no lining, contrary to the planning permissions. Uranium, lead, mercury and hazardous salt cake are contained within it. It seeps into the estuary, it kills wildlife and it threatens public health. It is a result of bauxite refining but RUSAL now wants to extend that refining even further. The question is whether the Government will simply stand by and let it happen. At the very least, will the Taoiseach order an investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, and ensure no rock blasting prior to inspection?

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