Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 511: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will detail all correspondence between his Department and a company (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25526/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I was approached last year by a private company requesting assistance under Major Emergency Management for the disposal of hazardous hydrogen cyanide cylinders. The company wrote to me on a number of occasions outlining concerns regarding the cylinders, the importance of disposing of them appropriately and requesting the assistance of the Defence Forces in this regard. The company was informed that the disposal of hazardous waste was not a matter for either the Department of Defence or the Defence Forces and that further correspondence should be channelled through the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The relevant authority in this matter is South Dublin County Council. The Council proposes to use its statutory powers under the Waste Management Act, 1996, as amended, to dispose of the hazardous material. The Defence Forces have been requested by the civil authority to assist in this matter by providing a suitable site for disposal and to provide explosives to be used in the destruction of the material. I understand that plans to dispose of the material are being put in place by the local authority in consultation with the relevant State authorities.