Toxic site ‘must be dealt with sooner, not later’

PEOPLE living near a toxic waste site in Cork harbour have suffered enough from a disgraceful issue that must be dealt with sooner rather than later, Environment Minister Phil Hogan has said.

However, he refused to take responsibility for the former Irish Steel site in Haulbowline, saying it is a matter for the Office of Public Works (OPW), which is carrying out a report on the matter.

Speaking in Cork, the minister said the OPW’s report will be available in the next few weeks, and once he gets a copy he will be able to make a statement on the way forward.