Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 363: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount spent on maintenance of the Haulbowline site, County Cork over the past three years in tabular form. [40247/09]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 364: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will put a public health survey in place for persons living in close proximity to the Haulbowline site, County Cork; and if so, the timescale for same. [40248/09]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 365: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his medium term maintenance plan for the Haulbowline site, County Cork; and the budget for same. [40249/09]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 366: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of toxic material and heavy metal remains at the Haulbowline site, County Cork in November 2009. [40250/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 363 to 366, inclusive, together.

Regarding the issue of any studies in regard to human health the Government has noted the outcomes of the independent and rigorous assessment of site conditions on Haulbowline which was carried out for my Department in 2008. This comprised three distinct modules: assessing quality of surface water, marine sediment and mussel bivalves in the vicinity; assessment of any health or environmental risks posed by current site conditions; and ambient air monitoring.

The consultants who undertook the assessment had available the advice of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Marine Institute and the Health and Safety Authority.

Ambient air monitoring was undertaken in accordance with relevant national and international occupational exposure limit values, finding that air quality complied with all relevant standards and guidelines, including in Cobh which was the main population centre that was monitored, and that there is no occupational risk to human health from airborne substances. Similarly, the assessment of water, sediment and mussel samples employed the relevant applicable screening criteria and found no identifiable risk to the residents of Cork Harbour.

In the case of assessing the health and environmental risks posed by potential contaminants in the waste material on the East Tip area of the site the screening was undertaken using human health generic assessment criteria which are derived from guidance issued in the UK. These criteria were considered most appropriate for the site, are conservative for on-site exposures for current land use, and did not suggest a risk to health of people on site undertaking normal activities or to those in the Cork harbour area including the Naval Base.

The earlier 2005 site investigation reported ground conditions on the East Tip portion of the island as comprising waste material to a depth of between 4.0m to 12.5m and comprising of various wastes that largely originated from the steel making processes on Haulbowline Island together with other wastes types deposited during its development. Given the uncontrolled nature of the deposition of material on the site over several decades the volumes of the various wastes are extremely difficult accurately to quantify. Both the 2005 and 2008 site assessments, which are available in the Oireachtas library, deal extensively with the waste sampling and analysis undertaken for all waste types, including heavy metals.

As previously advised, the Government has decided that the Office of Public Works will chair a working group to develop a structured and coherent approach to the further management and development of the site. The establishment of this group is a matter for the OPW.

Future funding requirements are contingent on determination as to the future use of the site. From 2007 to date the State has expended a total of €45,632,211.47 on investigations, demolitions, various site works, disposal of waste material, testing and sampling, analysis, topographical and foreshore ecological surveys, archaeological surveys, project management, peer review, small service contracts, wages, professional fees, utilities and security.