Aughinish Alumina waste pit
Deputy Paul Murphy raised blasting at Aughinish Alumina and the danger of another toxic red mud storage pit near the Shannon, also alleging interference in a prior health investigation. The Taoiseach said the EPA and other regulatory processes must deal with such applications and he would consult Ministers about any further review.
Aughinish Alumina in Limerick said today it is beginning rock blasting to build yet another massive pit for storing toxic red mud. The new pond will be 8 m deep and 4.5 ha large, storing 40 million tonnes of waste right by the River Shannon. It is a disaster waiting to happen. Last month, I raised with the Taoiseach new evidence showing there was IDA Ireland interference in the previous investigation of the health impacts. Sitting in the Gallery that day were Pat and Nuala Geoghegan, whose farm animals died and whose personal health suffered greatly.
They are protesting outside the Dáil now and calling for a fresh investigation that is truly independent and without interference. Last month, I did not get a straight answer. Will the Taoiseach, at the very least, give a straight answer as to whether he will support the call for a new investigation into the health and environmental impacts of Aughinish Alumina?
Comment on this
We have the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, and various mechanisms to oversee any application of the kind the Deputy referred to. We cannot arbitrate for that on the floor of the House. Again, regarding any fresh investigation, there has been a whole series of reviews and I am not going to give an off-the-cuff response to the Deputy's request either. I will talk to the Tánaiste and others regarding the agencies under the wing of his Department and those of other Ministers to get their assessment of the situation.