John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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On behalf of Rentokil, Arthur Cox Solicitors made my Department aware of the existence of seven cylinders of hydrogen cyanide in April 2007 at the Rentokil premises at Ballymount. This followed a series of meetings held by Rentokil with South Dublin County Council, the Defence Forces, the Fire Services and An Garda Síochána to develop a solution for the disposal of the cylinders. South Dublin County Council has taken the lead agency responsibility in relation to this matter.

Rentokil, as holder of the cylinders of hydrogen cyanide, has the statutory responsibility to resolve this matter, under the Waste Management Act 1996, the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Acts 1989 and 2005; the Dangerous Substances Act 1972; and Protection of the Environment Act 2003 and accompanying regulations and licensing regimes. My Department has kept in touch with South Dublin County Council in the matter and has recently written to the local authority requesting that it consider the steps it can take to ensure an appropriate resolution to this issue is taken by Rentokil, including the need to deal conclusively with this matter within the relevant regulatory requirements for waste management and disposal having regard to the hazard involved.

Operational matters, including the question of relevant local consultations in connection with this, are the responsibility of the authorities directly concerned. However, I understand that on 10 June 2008 South Dublin County Council issued a press statement detailing the steps to be taken by the Council as the lead agency in relation to the disposal of the cylinders and that the Council has published a detailed list of 'Frequently Asked Questions' on its website in relation to the matter. I understand also that South Dublin County Council continues to work closely with all of the relevant agencies in relation to this matter.