Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 475: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the Magyar Aluminium Zrt. (MAL) red sludge spill in Hungary on 4 October 2010; if he has conducted a systematic review of the landfill and tailings ponds at a plant (details supplied) in County Limerick where the on-site landfill annually handles 1.5 million tonnes of similar red sludge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38480/10]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 476: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a company (details supplied) has set a fully costed environmental liabilities risk assessment with the Environmental Protection Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38481/10]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 477: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a company (details supplied) has made a financial provision with the Environmental Protection Agency to cover any liabilities arising out of its handling of red mud waste at its BRDA landfill on-site or any liabilities from possible mud spills from the landfill into the river Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38482/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 475, 476 and 477 together.

I am aware of the recent tragic events at the Magyar Alumimum Zrt. owned alumina plant in Ajka, Hungary. In Ireland, decisions on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) licences are the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The monitoring and enforcement of conditions attaching to IPPC licences, including accident prevention and emergency response measures, environmental liability risk assessments and financial provisions, are also a matter for the EPA.

Under the Environmental Protection Agency Acts 1992 to 2007 , I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by the EPA of its licensing functions in specific cases.