Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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506. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the clean-up operation at a site (details supplied); and if moneys for the clean-up are ring-fenced as previously guaranteed. [22917/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The remediation of the former Irish Steel/ISPAT site at Haulbowline Island in Cork forms part of Ireland's Programme of Measures to address the judgment in April 2005 of the European Court of Justice against Ireland in Case C494/01. This commitment has been underpinned by Government decisions, including the allocation of a dedicated total budget of €61m for the island remediation project.

To that end, Cork County Council, acting as agents on my behalf, have been engaged in a range of preparatory works at Haulbowline since 2012 including extensive site exploration works, road and bridge repair and securing the appropriate planning and licensing permits.

A preferred tenderer for the primary East Tip works has recently been identified by Cork County Council. Owing to the multi-annual funding required for this contact of works I have sought the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in order to enter into a multi-annual contract for the East Tip.

The funding for the remediation works at Haulbowline, which form part of my Department's Vote, continue to be ring fenced for the sole purpose of the remediation works being carried out at Haulbowline Island.