County manager to press OPW on toxic dump

CORK county manager Martin Riordan is set to tell the Office of Public Works (OPW) that it must speedily complete its report on the future use of a toxic waste dump in Cork harbour.

The OPW has set up a taskforce to look at the future uses of the site on Haulbowline island, which was discovered in June 2008 and which contained the highly carcinogenic Chromium 6.

Mr Riordan said he would be meeting with the OPW taskforce before the end of this month to discuss his views on the site, which is adjacent to the former Irish Steel/Irish Ispat plant.

“The real urgent issue for all of us is that the Haulbowline site be brought to a safe conclusion,” Mr Riordan said.

He said he was disappointed that Minister for Health Mary Harney had refused to carry out a baseline health study on people living in the lower harbour area.

Mr Riordan said it was imperative the OPW finalise its report as soon as possible.

He made his comments after Cobh-based Cllr John Mulvihill (Lab) asked what the up-to-date position was with the OPW taskforce.

“I’m sick and tired of raising this meeting after meeting. We want to know why the cancer rates are so high,” Mr Mulvihill said.