226 Deputy Michael Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the workings of the Office of Public Works working group regarding an organisation (details supplied) in County Cork; if the working group has taken note of recent reports in a newspaper (details supplied) concerning fears in the Cobh area that the condition of the site maybe the cause of the high rate of cancer in the Cobh area; the position regarding the deliberations of the OPW working group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37732/10]

The Working Group, established by the Government, is looking at the future use of Haulbowline. The remit of the Working Group does not include matters relating to the contamination of the site or matters relating to remediation or containment measures on the site. Such matters will be considered in light of Government's consideration of the recommendations of the Group as to the future use of the site.