Call for environmental accident early warning system

An early warning system must be installed to warn the public of environmental accidents, it was urged today.

Ciaran Cuffe, the Green Party’s spokesman on the environment, said an alert system was necessary after it emerged 250,000 litres of caustic soda leaked into Cork Harbour as a ship was unloaded three weeks ago.

The incident happened on July 3 at the ADM plant at Ringaskiddy in the harbour.

“It took three weeks before the public were informed and a quarter of a million litres of caustic soda had leaked,” the TD said. “I think we need a much better early warning system.”

Environmental groups in Cork are demanding an explanation from the EPA, which was informed of the incident but decided not to make a public statement at the time.

The EPA said there was no risk to human health and the impact on marine life was confined to the area and shortlived.