EPA defends decision to give factory all-clear

THE State environmental watchdog yesterday defended its decision to give the all-clear to a factory at the centre of a pollution row.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that the Aughinish Alumina plant in Askeaton, Co Limerick, produced emissions in 2003 which were seven times higher than the permitted level and was unable to account for 7,000 tonnes of toxic caustic solution.

Despite heavy criticism from Independent MEP Kathy Sinnott, the EPA yesterday stood by the positive conclusion of its audit which said the environmental management system at the factory was “mature, well developed and generally operates well”.

“The particular emission referred to (in the audit) was subsequently found to be part of a calibration exercise and was not of environmental significance or of concern to the EPA,” the agency said.

It said it had identified a non-compliance by Aughinish with its integrated pollution control (IPC) licence and requested the company determine the reason and put in place suitable corrective action.

The EPA re-emphasised the conclusion of its audit report, which stated the agency acknowledged the environmental improvements that have been made at Aughinish Alumina, and was confident this would progress into the future.

Ms Sinnott has called for the EPA to be disbanded on the grounds it was failing to protect the people of West Limerick.

Aughinish Alumina was not available for comment.