Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Defence when he will publish the consultants' report which his Department commissioned on toxic waste concerns at Haulbowline, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36425/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Following concerns arising in regard to work undertaken on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, at the ISPAT site, as a purely precautionary measure, I directed that an independent investigation of any potential health issues arising at the naval base in Haulbowline be undertaken. An independent environmental health and safety assessment was commissioned by my Department in July of this year. A comprehensive and detailed assessment of soil, sediment and air quality was carried out in July to assess any potential risks posed to human health.

The initial report by the independent consultants was completed at the beginning of September. This report concluded that any risk arising within the naval base falls within the acceptable range, meaning that there is no exposure to undue risks and that no mitigating action needs to take place. The consultants advised that there was an area in the base, however, where certain levels were elevated. As a result, the consultants were requested to undertake additional testing in these particular areas to confirm the earlier test results. These tests have now been completed and my Department received the addendum report just over two weeks ago and the final consolidated report last week.

Following these further investigations the consultants again concluded that there is no exposure to undue risks. However, to ensure that best practice is followed in regard to matters like this it has been decided to cap one area which will be done by importing a layer of topsoil or by laying hard core.

The now completed report is in the final stages of being examined and I expect to receive a report from the Department and the military authorities next week. Once I have received this report, a joint meeting of the Naval Service and civilian employees partnership committees will be convened locally at the naval base and the report will be presented to them. It will be published immediately after that.

Again, I wish to state clearly that the findings show there is no unacceptable risk posed to personnel at the naval base and this is clearly supported by the independent assessment.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister's response. Hopefully, it will go some way towards reassuring naval personnel at Haulbowline that their health is not at risk. The Minister said clearly it is not at risk, despite the fact they are sitting on half a million tonnes of hazardous waste. We can only accept the Minister's assurance and I am sure it will assuage any concerns they have. The Minister gave a commitment that he will brief the personnel as soon as possible. Will he ensure he does that? Also, will he publish the report as soon as possible?

I remind the Minister that traces of chromium 6 found on the site were analysed in a German laboratory by one of the contractors hired to remove some waste from the site. The results gave rise to some concern. Does the consultants' report rule out any possible contamination or threat from chromium 6 or from the inordinate levels of mercury found in the Cork Harbour area — 25% higher than the acceptable level? Does the report provide an assurance that there is no threat from chromium 6, mercury, zinc or any of the other obvious contaminants on the site, given the half of million tonnes of waste underground there?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Deenihan mentioned my assurance to the House. I am simply communicating to the House the results of the report. To reiterate, a joint meeting will be convened in Haulbowline, hopefully next week when the report is ready, between representatives of the naval staff and civilians and the details of the report will be explained to them. I will then immediately publish the report and make it available to Opposition spokespersons. It will also be available on the website.

I appreciate what Deputy Deenihan says about levels of certain contaminants being found. However, the report states categorically that the level is far below the risk level identified by the Health and Safety Authority. In other words, the report states the site is quite safe, despite what is buried underneath. I understand that raised levels of contaminants were found in a certain part of the site where lead and zinc batteries had been buried. It is proposed to cap that part of the site, although that part of the site is quite safe as things exist. However, it is best practice to cap such areas. Essentially, the report gives a clean bill of health to Haulbowline.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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A report issued by an official — an engineer from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government — last December pointed out that because of the high levels of mercury, immediate emergency treatment was required for certain parts of the site. I hope that work has been carried out in the meantime.

The Minister is aware of the importance of playing pitches for naval personnel, as exercise and recreation is very important for them when they spend a lot of time on sea manoeuvres. The playing pitches at the naval base have been closed for some time. Can personnel use these pitches again and is it safe to do so? Can the Minister assure them it is safe to do so?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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My interpretation, from what I have been told of the report, is that there is no risk at all. Unless there is some other impediment to using the pitches, personnel should not be prevented from using them on the premise the report has discovered it is in any way dangerous to use them. My information is the report appears to give an absolutely clean bill of health to the site. The report will be published next week, discussed locally at Haulbowline and then published generally, including on the website. We will send the Deputy a courtesy copy.