RUSAL red mud waste site
Paul Murphy warned of toxic red mud storage at RUSAL Alumina near Askeaton, claiming it threatened wildlife, public health and the estuary. The Taoiseach said he would refer the concerns to the EPA and seek a reply.
A toxic time bomb is ticking at RUSAL Alumina near Askeaton. I remember visiting it when it was Aughinish Alumina, almost ten years ago, and meeting local campaigner Pat Geoghegan, who I believe the Taoiseach met when he was Minister for Health. I saw a massive, red mud storage area, which is now so big it can be seen from space. It comprises 50 million tonnes of toxic waste with no lining, contrary to the planning permissions. Uranium, lead, mercury and hazardous salt cake are contained within it. It seeps into the estuary, it kills wildlife and it threatens public health. It is a result of bauxite refining but RUSAL now wants to extend that refining even further. The question is whether the Government will simply stand by and let it happen. At the very least, will the Taoiseach order an investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, and ensure no rock blasting prior to inspection?
Comment on this
The Environmental Protection Agency is there to protect the environment and to ensure adherence to the strict laws governing industrial projects of this kind, including manufacturing entities, mining entities and refining entities. I will refer the Deputy's remarks to the EPA and will seek a reply from it regarding this matter.