asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the proposed site for the new Tallaght hospital, County Dublin, in view of its proximity to a lead processing plant.

I am satisfied that the suitability of the site for the proposed Tallaght hospital is not in any way diminished by a lead pollution factor.

Is the Minister satisfied that the lead processing plant meets the requirements laid down for such a plant?

According to the information I have the factory produces lead sheeting and ingots for the building industry. The process is known as the DM method which is a low heat process. There is a sophisticated pollution control system in operation which reduces pollution from the plant to one-2,000th of the permitted limit set by the planning authority of the county council for the area. It is a matter which was discussed in great detail at the time when planning permission was being given to that factory. There was evidence from the health inspectorate and a study was carried out by the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards at the request of the IDA. The matter appears to have been thoroughly researched and the standards set are well within the permitted limits. It is noted that local residents mentioned periodic emissions of black smoke from the chimney on the site but it is understood that this has no connection with the lead manufacturing process but results from the burning of rubbish at the site.

Is the Minister saying effectively that the position of the patients and staff in this hospital is the same as if they were surrounded by green fields, that the lead processing plant concerned has no effect whatsoever on the welfare of people in that hospital?

The plant would be about half a mile away from the proposed site in the first instance and the expert evidence is that it will not have any effect.

Will the Minister take steps to ensure that there is constant monitoring of the lead processing plant to see that it complies with the regulations and that their equipment does also?

I will.