Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I thank the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, for attending the House to take this important matter. This is not the first time I have raised this issue. I have lost count of the number of times I have done so. It is a serious and ongoing issue and there is an urgent need for the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, to sign off on a plan for the rehabilitation of these mining sites. Information is now available showing the level of toxicity in the air, particularly around the tailings pond at Gortmore in Silvermines, is greater than originally thought. Several years ago, an inter-agency report stated that while there was toxic dust in the area, particularly lead dust emanating from the tailing ponds, it did not represent a risk to human health. However, a report commissioned by the community and reported on in today's Irish Independent states that children are at risk from toxic dust. The reason is that the synergistic effect, in other words, the combined effect of lead and arsenic in particular, which is in the dust in the Silvermines area, constitutes a very serious risk, particularly to the health of children in the area because the synergistic effect of lead and arsenic is much worse than the individual effect of lead and arsenic. One can only imagine what that would be. This is a matter of serious concern which needs to be dealt with urgently.

The latest proposal prepared by Mogul of Ireland in November is not acceptable, and remains an unacceptable proposal. My concern, which is shared by Deputy Hoctor and the community, is that the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, appears to accept this proposal. He appears to believe that it could constitute a solution to the problem. This is not the case because it has been rejected not just by the community's consultants, but by the EPA, the county council and SRK, the Department's consultants, as being a defective and unworkable solution. Therefore, I fail to understand why the Minister is taking this view. I further fail to understand why he is taking this view because in this House a number of months ago, in the most recent reply in the matter, I was told that a report is being prepared by the Department for the Minister. I was told it would go to the Minister in February, following which he would make a decision on how to proceed. Our concern is that the Minister has made up his mind at this stage. I would like reassurance on where the Minister and the Department are on the matter, which I can then relay to the community.

Department officials intend to meet with members of the community next week. I welcome this initiative by the Department, which is necessary. However, the necessity for a resolution to this issue has become much more urgent. I have been raising this matter since coming to this House in 1997. It is now 2005, which is almost eight years later. How long must people wait? Given the waste, licensing and planning issues involved, the management of very hazardous materials and the fact that a number of sites, not just the tailings pond, are involved, it will take years for a plan to be rolled out and put in place.

I seek reassurance and an update on the matter from the Minister. I am sure it is not the last time we will debate it. I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise the issue today.