David Norris (Independent)

I want to raise the repercussions of the European court decision on environmental matters, something I sought to raise last week but was unable to due to the number of speakers. This area was touched on last week in the context of the Haulbowline situation, which is disastrous. The company involved attempted to sift materials by shaking them in mid air, thereby spreading contaminated dust. It is unbelievable.

The matter I wish to raise relates to this. Among the matters referred to at the time was a question I attempted to raise on Stanley sawmills in Offaly that was ruled out of order due to a lack of ministerial responsibility. The question was debated but I was unable to have it discussed on the Adjournment. The courts have taken an interest in this matter and I would like the Minister to come before the House to explain the latest position. It was an unplanned development that sought retrospective planning permission, which was granted, along with an EPA licence, without an environmental impact survey. That is astonishing. All of the conditions were then broken and chromium 6, which is carcinogenic, was released into the environment.