David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 159 of 27 November 2008, the action that he has taken in relation to progressing a baseline health study of the Cork Harbour region following the discovery of possible cancer causing chemicals in toxic waste at Haulbowline, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21245/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Government has considered the position in relation to the former Irish Steel/Ispat site at Haulbowline noting the outcome of the site investigations and the recommendations of the environmental consultants.

The Government decided that the Office of Public Works would chair a working group to develop a structured and coherent approach to the further management and development of the site, with Cork County Council continuing to discharge site management responsibilities on an agency basis. The Group has now been convened by the OPW.

Regarding the issue of any studies in regard to human health the Government noted the outcomes of the independent and rigorous assessment of site conditions on Haulbowline. This comprised three distinct modules:

1. assessment of any health or environmental risks posed by current site conditions;

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

3. ambient air monitoring.

The consultants 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 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 itself 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 the health of people on site undertaking normal activities or to those in the Cork harbour area including the Naval Base.