Friends' Work

// EU MOVE ON HAULBOWLINE

As the Minister for the Environment confirms that the European Commission has sent Ireland a Letter of Formal Notice over the unlicensed storage of waste at the site of the former steelworks at Haulbowline Island, County Cork, we publish statistics that show the Minister has not made good on his promise to ensure improved compliance with European Law.

Ireland's record before the EU Court has shown no improvement in the period 2008 - 2009. Ireland is currently subject to 28 environmental infringement proceedings, including 5 which are returning to Court after a Judgment against the State to seek penalties for non-compliance with that Judgment.

Nowhere is the Government's failure more clear than in their handling of the 9 hectares of waste assigned to the Minsiter for the Environment in 2003.

If this waste was being held by any other party than the State, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Local Authority would be the first in Court to require the holder to apply for a license. Instead, nothing has been done, month after month, year after year. Six years of reports and delays - as the toxic residue seeps into the harbour and blows in the wind.

Read the Press Release   |   See the statistics   |  Today's Irish Examiner

Read our Report on the 'Toxic Island'

EU MOVE ON HAULBOWLINE

The Minister for the Environment has confirmed that the European Commission has sent Ireland a Letter of Formal Notice over the unlicensed storage of waste at the site of the former steelworks at Haulbowline Island, County Cork.

The confirmation came in a written parliamentary reply to Deputy Simon Coveney.

The environmental group FIE made a formal complaint to the Commission last year alleging that potentially hazardous waste was being held without a license.

In a statement, the group said that ‘national and European law require the licensing of waste, both to protect the environment and any residents exposed to potential toxic effects.'

‘The licensing procedure requires an Environmental Impact Statement that will determine the conditions that should be imposed to ensure that this site is properly cleaned up.'

‘If this waste was being held by any other party than the State, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Local Authority would be the first in Court to require the holder to apply for a license. The State's failure to do this has now led to this Letter of Formal Notice from the European Commission, the first stage in legal proceedings against a member state.

If not addressed by the Government proceedings will be instituted before the European Court of Justice that can ultimately lead to daily fines for every extra day the waste is held without a license.

Ireland is currently subject to 28 environmental infringement proceedings, including 5 which are returning to Court after a Judgment against the State to seek penalties for non-compliance with the Judgment.

Further information:
Tony Lowes 027 74771 / 087 2176316

Written Parliamentary replies, Tuesday, 26th May, 2009: Ref Nos: 21391/09, 21392/09 and 21393/09