Haulbowline Toxic Dump – EU Gets Tough on Irish Government – Sean Kelly MEP

Haulbowline Toxic Dump – EU Gets Tough on Irish Government – Cork County Council Should Be Litigating Against Themselves

Sean Kelly MEP today called on Cork County Council to act urgently to address the Haulbowline toxic landfill, in light of fines to be imposed by European Court for breaching environmental law.

“I have warned Cork County Council that they will be subject to fines if action is not taken. These fines will be between 20,000 and 100,000 euro per day”, he emphasised.

“Europe is now cracking down on the Irish Government. Haulbowline will not and cannot be ignored by the State authorities anymore”, he stated.

“The days of procrastination are over and it is time to instigate a safe, adequate and environmentally friendly clean up of the site.

“I would like to call on the Irish Government to establish an emergency clean up experts group, as a matter of urgency”, he stressed.

“The EPA has stated that a waste licence is required for the site and that it falls to the landowners to apply for the licence.

“From my information, Cork County Council believes that it is up to the EPA to ensure there is a licence in place. Cork County Council has been delegated as the waste management authority for the landfill, by the Department of the Environment and it is their responsibility to apply for a licence”, he explained.

“In effect, Cork County Council should be taking themselves to Court! If we have a situation whereby, local authorities can be a law onto themselves and avoid compliance with licensing laws at national and European level, something is seriously wrong.

“Minister for the Environment, John Gormley should order Cork County Council to clean up the site immediately.

“As the steel manufacturing industry was in operation for over 60 years in Cork harbour, it is time the local residents in Cobh and the surrounding areas are given a chance to live in a clean and safe environment.

“While there has been no baseline health study conducted to date, it is only reasonable to link the 37% cancer rate above the national average in Cobh, with the carcinogenic toxins emanating from the site”, he concluded.