Little change in harbour toxic status

THERE has been little change in the status of toxic material on the contaminated Haulbowline site in Cork Harbour since the scandal was uncovered, new test results are expected to confirm today.

The tests, which were ordered after contractors involved in surface clearance works disturbed the former Irish Steel site, are expected to show results broadly in line with tests conducted before the clean-up started.

The results should ease local concerns in the short-term.

The preliminary results of the extensive tests on the site during the summer will be presented to local public representatives by Environment Minister John Gormley during a meeting in Cobh this morning.

Mr Gormley appointed White Young Green to retest the site after the Irish Examiner exposed for the first time last June the sheer level of contamination on the former Irish Steel site.

He said the move was designed to establish whether or not toxic materials including the carcinogen Chromium 6, which are buried on the site, had been disturbed and exposed to the elements.

Mr Gormley promised at the time that the results would be available within five weeks.

But the atrocious weather over the last two months delayed the testing schedule by more than a month.

However, the consultants are now in the final stages of drafting their full report and the preliminary results will be presented to politicians from Cobh and Ringaskiddy at a meeting in Cobh Town Hall later.

It is understood Mr Gormley will say the full report will be ready by the end of the month.

Green Party Senator Dan Boyle said Mr Gormley is following through on his commitment in June to report to public representatives with the results.

And he said the outcome of the tests completely undermines the vote of no confidence in Mr Gormley taken by Cork County Council on Monday.

“The Minister has been very involved in seeking information on the site to inform him and in turn the Government on decisions in relation to the long-term future of the site,” he said.

“The Minister has been engaged in this process throughout the summer despite the politics of Monday’s vote.”

He said Mr Gormley is acutely aware of the need to develop a plan to clean the entire site and to contain the materials in the short term.

But Labour TD Sean Sherlock said what the people of Cobh want is a set of recommendations that will result in the clean-up of the site.

“If the Minister does not declare his intention in that regard then today’s visit will have been a waste of time,” he said.

Mr Gormley is also due to open a sheltered housing project in Shandon and open the Turner’s Cross Community Centre today before unveiling Green Party local election candidates this evening.