Minister insists there is no health hazard

TOXIC waste dumped on a former steelworks site in Cork harbour does not pose a public health risk, Environment Minister John Gormley said yesterday.

Mr Gormley made his comments despite admitting his department is not aware of the full extent of the problem on Haulbowline Island.

He said two officials are on site full time and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is monitoring the situation along with his own department officials.