Dump controversy: the jury is still out

AS you reported (September 12), there were angry scenes at a briefing for local councillors on the Haulbowline toxic dump scandal, by Environment Minister John Gormley in the Town Hall in Cobh, Co Cork.

Cllr John Mulvihill (Snr) lashed the minister and called for his resignation for his handling of the situation.

From working with Cllr Mulvihill, I know this is a very emotive issue for him.

He lives in Cobh and is well aware of the fears of people for their health and welfare not alone from the Haulbowline dump, but the proposed siting of an incinerator and high tension ESB lines in the harbour area.

Cllr Mulvihill’s views on these environmental issues and their effects on human life are supported by other councillors, including myself, and his outburst when meeting the minister only served to emphasise his sensitivity to the problem.

While Minister Gormley has assured us there is no immediate health risk from the 500,000 tonnes of toxic waste on Haulbowline island, the jury is still out on the issue.

Fears about the risks to health from the dump are very real. Not enough is known about the subject and, with experts differing, the public are confused and frightened. They are also angry that a dump of such magnitude and with such enormous potential radically to change their lives is still there.

It is they, not Minister Gormley or the local authority, who have to contend with the downside of the issue on a daily basis and the very least they are entitled to is to be fully informed on all aspects of it.

All of this may yet necessitate a public inquiry.

Cllr Noel Collins

St Jude’s

Midleton

Co Cork