merrion street

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney at the signing of the Quantitative Risk Assessment Agreement for the former steelworks on Haulbowline Island in Cork Harbour at the County Hall by Denis Crowley of ARUP (left) and Declan Daly temporary Cork County Manager. Also included is the Mayor of Cork County Cllr. Noel O'Connor.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney today attended the contract signing for a Detailed Quantitative Risk Assessment of the former steelworks factory site on Haulbowline Island.

Commenting at the signing today the Minister said:

This contract for the assessment of the former steelworks factory site moves the Haulbowline Island remediation project into a new phase and underpins the whole of island remediation approach that is now being adopted.

Cork County Council is acting as agent of the Minister for the remediation of Haulbowline Island. The contract was awarded to ARUP and is for a rigorous and robust Detailed Quantitative Risk Assessment which will be prepared in accordance with current best practice, taking cognisance of relevant legislation, standards and guidance. Additional surface water, groundwater and gas sampling will be undertaken. All available data will be collated, analysed and interpreted and a report containing the DQRA, options appraisal and remedial solution prepared. This report will outline, in detail, the proposed remedial solution.

A planning application for works on the East Tip was lodged with An Bord Pleanála on 30th October 2013 and the waste licence application was submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency on 14th November 2013.

An Bord Pleanala held a public hearing on the application on 19th March 2014 and the Bord have indicated that a decision on the application is due by 24th April2014.