Local public figures remain cautious

POLITICIANS representing the area gave a cautious welcome to the main findings of the Haulbowline report but said serious questions still remained.

Fine Gael Cork South Central TD Simon Coveney said action had to be taken to remove the toxic waste on the former Irish Steel site, even if the consultants found it did not pose a risk to local residents.

“While the conclusion that there is no identifiable threat to residents in the area is welcome, it is clear that the site is still toxic and the marine ecosystem in the harbour continues to be adversely affected by toxic waste material,” Mr Coveney said.

“Ultimately, there is only one solution to this problem, and that is the removal of all toxic material.”

Filling excavated areas of the site, or building a retainer wall around it to prevent materials washing out to sea, were not viable long-term solutions, he argued.

Labour Cork South Central TD Ciarán Lynch said the report provided some “welcome clarity”, but was only the start of the process.

“We simply cannot allow this report to end up gathering dust on John Gormley’s shelf.

“The recommendations by the consultants must form the core of the package that John Gormley brings to cabinet, and his mettle will be well and truly tested by his capacity to fight for the necessary resources at Government level,” Mr Lynch said.

He added that the consultants’ investigation was “somewhat hamstrung” because it focused only on the East Tip area of the Irish Steel plant rather than the entire site itself.

Mr Lynch also called for further investigations into the high levels of metals found in the harbour, which the consultants said did not emanate from Haulbowline.

Sinn Féin’s environment spokesman, Kerry North TD Martin Ferris, questioned whether the report had fully explored the issue, particularly the fact that cancer rates in nearby Cobh are above national average.

“While I welcome the report and would like to think it represents a genuine settling of the serious concerns that have been expressed... I believe there are still questions to be asked,” he said.