Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 193: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he will take to remove the hazardous waste on Haulbowline Island and clean up the island once this waste is removed; the amount this will cost his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36373/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Following extensive unauthorised works by sub-contractors my Department re-engaged consultants, White Young Green, to carry out an independent and rigorous assessment of site conditions on Haulbowline, including assessment of any health or environmental risks posed by the work, assessing quality of surface water, marine sediment and mussel bivalves in the vicinity and 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. Test results will be assessed against baseline data from the previous survey.

Furthermore, at the request of local residents and public representatives, the current ongoing site assessment works, and the 2005 report, are being peer reviewed by independent experts to offer reassurance to the local communities that the scope of works, tests and analyses employed conform to best international practice in determining whether the site poses any immediate health or environmental threat. 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 published once they have been received and assessed by my Department. Any recommendations arising from these reports will then inform proposals to Government. The future use of the site will determine the level of any future remediation that may be required and any potential costs involved.

I anticipate that both the White Young Green and peer review reports will be available in a matter of weeks.