EU committee to press ahead with probe into Aughinish pollution claims

THE Aughinish Alumina plant is facing a new EU pollution probe following complaints by local farmers.

The EU Committee on Petitions has expressed concern following petitions submitted by the Cappagh Farmers’ Support Group.

Pat Geoghegan, spokesman for the group, which insists animal health problems in the area are directly linked to the Aughinish plant welcomed the EU Petitions Committee move.

“We put a lot of work into making the submission to the committee.

“But we feel it is disgraceful that we had to go outside the county to get somebody to look at our situation. This matter should have been dealt with in this country.”

He said they would be compiling additional information and would make plans to meet representatives of the EU Committee in Brussels later in the year.

Mr Geoghegan said: “The real question is whether the Irish authorities are finally going to put up their hands and admit there is something wrong.”

The petition was submitted by Patrick Culhane, a member of the Cappagh farmers’ group. In his document, Mr Culhane referred to concerns about emissions, red mud waste and groundwater.

He alleged the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) had failed to check pollution problems at Aughinish. In particular he raised the issue of an audit in 2003 which found that emissions were seven times higher than the permitted level and also the fact that 70,000 tonnes of toxic caustic solution was unaccounted for.

Mr Culhane argued that the EPA could not be in charge of issuing and monitoring Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) licences.

The EU Committee on Petitions deemed the West Limerick farmers submission as admissible.

The chairman of the EU committee, Marcin Libicki, said: “Members expressed their concern at the situation resulting from the pollution produced by the plant.”

He said his committee would continue its examination of the petition.

They would also seek further information from the EU Commission and the Irish government.

Mr Culhane said the decision of the petitions committee to press on with further investigations into pollution issues at Aughinish was a significant development in their campaign.

A spokesman for the EPA said they wold be happy to co-operate with the EU Commission in any further examination investigation.