Cork Harbour residents slam Gormley, EPA in waste row

A residents group in Cork says it has lost confidence in the Environment Minister and the EPA following the latest environmental scandal to hit the area.

Concerns have been raised this morning about the way in which hazardous waste at the former Irish Steel plant in Haulbowline is being disposed.

The Government has reportedly ordered a sub-contractor to seal a number of "lagoons" containing huge amounts of toxic by-products rather than removing the material for disposal.

The Department of the Environment, the EPA and Cork County Council are also being accused of trying to cover up the amount of hazardous waste buried at the site.

The Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment says it has no faith in Minister John Gormley or the EPA to properly address the situation.

Meanwhile, attempts by Labour Party TD Joan Burton to seek answers from Mr Gormley in the Dáil this morning were ruled out of order by the Ceann Comhairle.