Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator O'Meara for giving me an opportunity to provide an update on the human health aspects of this important environmental and health issue. It is obvious that Senator O'Meara is familiar with the tailings pond about which she spoke.

In June 2000, an interagency group, chaired by the then Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, presented a report of its investigation into the presence and influence of lead in the Silvermines area of County Tipperary. The investigation covered issues relating to human health, animal health and the environment. The then Mid-Western Health Board was one of the agencies involved in the investigation.

The human health component of the study concentrated on ascertaining concentrations of lead in humans living in the area. Blood sampling was directed at children, in particular. Screening found that lead concentrations in the population were within acceptable international concentrations and generally below those found in urban areas in the developed world. On the basis of the results of the blood testing programme, the group found that the high lead concentrations in the local environment were not, at that time, being transferred to the human population. It indicated the potential for such transfer, however, particularly to children. It recommended that appropriate monitoring should be conducted, particularly in so far as children in the area are concerned.

The interagency group's report concluded that risks arising from particular characteristics of the area must be managed to ensure the safety of local people. It stated that potential risks arise from historic mining operations and the naturally occurring lead and other metals on which such operations were based. It recommended that the local population should avoid exposure to potential risks and that particular care should be exercised in areas of the locality accessed by young children. It advised that those living in the area should follow advice given to them by the public health authorities.

The report contained 39 recommendations, six of which related to human health. It recommended the resurfacing of the local school's play area. It said that children should be discouraged from accessing areas of high lead content. It called for annual blood surveillance for pre-school and school-going children. It recommended internal and external environmental sampling. It proposed that awareness of the presence of lead should be maintained. It asked for the participation of the community in addressing lead exposure and developing specific prevention strategies.

A multi-agency implementation group for Silvermines was established to report on the progress being made in implementing all the recommendations. The then Mid-Western Health Board participated in the group, which was chaired by the Environmental Protection Agency. In its final report in July 2002, the implementation group indicated that all the human health recommendations had been completed. The report also indicates that all the interagency group recommendations had been implemented, except those concerning the rehabilitation of the mining sites, which was a matter for the then Department of the Marine and Natural Resources. I am advised that the former Mid-Western Health Board was continually involved regarding this issue to ensure public health protection. The Health Service Executive mid-western area has advised that throughout the period 1999 to 2004, a series of annual blood tests was carried out to determine the lead level in children in the area. These tests indicate levels well below the accepted norm. They also indicate that the levels had been declining over the period of testing.

The Senator mentioned the incidence of cancer and stated that a number of families in the community appear to be affected and that there is genuine concern about a cluster. I am advised by the Health Service Executive mid-western area that data provided by the National Cancer Registry do not indicate any excessive cancer rates in the Silvermines area. However, if there is genuine concern, it is important that we are conscious of it and that the matter be kept under review. I understand that ongoing discussions with GPs and public health nurses concerning health issues in the local population did not reveal any issues of concern. The former Mid-Western Health Board, in conjunction with North Tipperary County Council, developed a public health contingency plan in the event of a major dust blow from the Gortmore tailings management facility. The plan contains guidelines and practical advice for the management of the home environment in the unlikely event of a major dust blow. It provides recommendations on how to eliminate or minimise exposure to lead by undertaking simple measures that will get rid of contaminated dust. It is intended to assist in achieving a safe environment for children and adults exposed to lead, thereby limiting any adverse health effects. I am advised that this plan was made freely available in the area.

In June 2001, an expert group, chaired by the Environmental Protection Agency and including international experts, was established to formulate guidelines applicable to Ireland on the management of lead in the environment. During the course of its work the expert group recognised the need to consider guideline values and guidance on other relevant metals associated with lead in the Silvermines area. In 2004, the expert group presented the overall finding and recommendations pertaining to these metals.

The expert group considers the current guidance on human health in the environment of Silvermines to be adequate. The education and awareness campaign implemented by the former Mid-Western Health Board should continue to be provided through the ongoing work of local health care workers and guidance documents should be reviewed regularly and should take account of the results of human health monitoring as they become available. I am advised that the former Mid-Western Health Board provided advice to the local population based on the best international advice and the Environmental Protection Agency's international advisory group in heavy metals and soils. This advice concerns hygiene and avoiding hazardous areas in the Silvermines area.

While there is no evidence of a health impact on the local population from the local environment, the state of that environment is such that significant rehabilitation is required to remove that risk. This issue is being dealt with by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. The public health department of the Health Service Executive mid-western area has recently received a copy of a report produced by Professor Finnegan on blood lead levels in children in Silvermines. It is currently reviewing the report and I await its conclusions. Against this background of very comprehensive involvement by the appropriate agencies, I do not consider the action suggested by the Senator to be required at this stage. However, the matter will be kept under review.