Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 1491: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he expects the publication of the report outlining a clear set of recommendations on the clean-up of the site of the former Ispat site at Haulbowline, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31221/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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My Department re-engaged consultants, White Young Green, to carry out an independent and rigorous assessment of site conditions following extensive unauthorised works by sub-contractors of Hammond Lane Metal Company Ltd.

This assessment comprises three distinct modules, and the consultants have available the advice of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Marine Institute and the Health and Safety Authority in their development:

1. assessing quality of surface water, marine sediment and mussel bivalves in the vicinity;

2. assessment of any health or environmental risks posed by recent works;

3. ambient air monitoring.

White Young Green previously carried out an extensive intrusive site investigation in 2005 which indicated no evidence of any immediate threat to human health or the environment. Testing results will be assessed against baseline data from the previous survey. It is anticipated that the latest report from White Young Green will be completed by the end of September.

Furthermore, at the request of the local residents and public representatives, I have arranged for the current ongoing site assessment works, and the 2005 White Young Green report, to be reviewed by independent experts in order to offer reassurance to the local communities that the scope of works, tests and analysis employed conform to best international practice in determining whether there exists any immediate health or environmental threat posed by the site. Professor Phillip Morgan (Sirius Geotechnical & Environmental Ltd) and Dr. Marcus Trett (Physalia Limited, Consultant & Forensic Ecologists) have been appointed to carry out the peer review.

Both the White Young Green and the Peer Review reports will be made publicly available once I have had an opportunity to examine them. Any recommendations arising out of these reports will inform my proposals to Government in respect of the future use of the site.