Written answers

Wednesday, 4 June 2008

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Remediation of Mining Sites

10:00 pm

Photo of Noel CoonanNoel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 428: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the plans his Department has in relation to the clean up of a site (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if and when the resources necessary to complete the clean up will be made available; if that amount will exceed the €10.6 million already allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22052/08]

Photo of Noel CoonanNoel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 429: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the spending and work that will take place on the clean up of a site (details supplied) in County Tipperary in 2008, 2009 and 2010; the work that will be completed in that time; the procurement procedures being used for the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22053/08]

Photo of Seán PowerSeán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 428 and 429 together.

As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 5 of 29th May 2008, in 2006, following a competitive tendering process, North Tipperary County Council (NTCC) appointed Golder Associates to finalise the design and manage the implementation of the rehabilitation programme as set out in earlier conceptual plans. The initial focus of the rehabilitation project at Silvermines is being placed on those sites that contain hazardous waste, Gortmore Tailings Management Facility and the waste facility at Garryard.

Planning permission was granted by NTCC on 17th September 2007 for the design of rehabilitation work at the Gortmore Tailings Management Facility. A tender notice was advertised in the EU Journal on 21st January 2008, following which seven companies were short-listed and invited to submit a tender for the first phase of the rehabilitation works. Tenders were received from all seven companies on 21st April 2008 and subsequently assessed by Golder Associates. On 21st May 2008, the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources authorised NTCC to issue a letter of intention to accept the tender of a construction firm for the first phase of the remediation works at Gortmore. I understand that this letter was issued by the Council on 22nd May and it is expected that works will commence on site in June, subject to the contractor producing insurances, bond and tax clearance. These procurement procedures were in accordance with the latest guidelines issued by the Department of Finance for Government Departments and Local Authorities.

The sum of €10.6m allocated by Government in June 2005 to remediate the former mining sites in the Silvermines area was on the basis of the earlier conceptual study, and that it might be necessary to revise this estimate on foot of the more detailed studies. On the basis of the latest information, it is clear that the cost of remediation of all the sites will exceed the provision of €10.6m. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources expects to brief the Government on the revised costs of the project in the near future. The works planned for 2009 and 2010 at the Gortmore site include further capping and associated works as well as vegetation and upgrading of wetland areas. Provision is included in the Department's Budget 2008 capital envelope for these works.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.