David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the action he has taken, or will take, regarding the clean-up of Haulbowline, County Cork, following developments at the European Union Petitions Committee last month and the letter of formal notification which was issued to Ireland by the European Commission last year in respect of European Court of Justice case C-494/01; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11565/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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From 2004 to 2009, my Department had an interim role in the management of the former Ispat site in a manner which is consistent with good practice and minimisation of risk to human health and the environment. In that context, my Department arranged for the decontamination and demolition of buildings on the site and, post-demolition, for the procurement of a contractor to carry out site surface clearance, back filling of voids and the disposal of surface wastes.

An Office of Public Works chaired working group has been developing proposals for a structured and coherent approach to the further management of the former Ispat site. The working group's terms of reference include examining the regulatory requirements for the site and advising the Government on the site's most beneficial future use. Plans for future use will determine the levels and extent of further works and/or remediation required, as well as helping to clarify further regulatory requirements, national and European, which may fall to be met.

I understand that the working group is currently finalising its report, which will provide a further key input to the process of charting a definitive and transparent way forward in relation to the site, and assist in addressing concerns of the local community. I look forward to considering the report's conclusions with my Government colleagues at an early date.