Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to carry out health screening for staff of his Department, members of the Navy and members of the Naval Reserve who worked on Haulbowline Island and their families to confirm that their health has not been damaged by they themselves or close family members working in close proximity to dangerous waste materials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26509/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is responsible for the remediation of the former ISPAT site. In view of the concerns being raised about the site, my Department has instructed a contractor to conduct soil and air analysis. This analysis is independent of any other analysis being carried out. There are a number of air monitors at the Naval base that were put in place as a precaution to alarm if contamination is detected. To date no alarms have been noted. This Department continues to accept the assurances of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government that there are no risks arising from the presence of the waste material. It is expected that our survey will confirm this.