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12/10/2001
Foster attempts to puts record straight on pollution
Sam Foster, Minister of the Environment, has said that the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) “takes and will continue to take pollution control very seriously”.
The statement came as a response to the BBC Spotlight programme on Thursday evening, which gave the impression that DOE was inactive over recent pollution incidents at the Silverwood Galvanisers Plant in Craigavon, and the Irish Waste Company in Belfast.
The Environment Minister said: "I treat the control of pollution very seriously. Officials have assured me from my Environment and Heritage Service that they took immediate action regarding alleged breaches of environmental law at Silverwood and by Irish waste.
"In April last year, EHS was made aware, by an anonymous letter, of possible discharge of sodium dichromate at Silverwood. EHS immediately responded to this and found no evidence of discharge of sodium dichromate.
"However, EHS continued to monitor the site and subsequently found evidence of other pollution. Statutory water samples were then taken with a view to prosecution.
"With regard to Irish Waste, whenever EHS was alerted of alleged improper practice, we immediately informed Belfast City Council who are responsible for issuing of a licence to Irish Waste.
"We also informed the Department of Regional Development Water Service about the possibility of dangerous substances being dumped in the sewers.
"The matter of alleged fraud at Irish Waste is now being investigated by the RUC. While I cannot comment further because the matter is under investigation, I can say that EHS have and will continue to fully assist the RUC in their enquiries."
Mr Foster added: "Under devolution, I have attained a 26 per cent increase for the DOE budget. Much of this funding is being channelled towards recruiting more staff to further control pollution in our environment.
He assured the public that he and the EHS would continue to take this responsibility for the protection of the environment “very seriously”. (SP)
The statement came as a response to the BBC Spotlight programme on Thursday evening, which gave the impression that DOE was inactive over recent pollution incidents at the Silverwood Galvanisers Plant in Craigavon, and the Irish Waste Company in Belfast.
The Environment Minister said: "I treat the control of pollution very seriously. Officials have assured me from my Environment and Heritage Service that they took immediate action regarding alleged breaches of environmental law at Silverwood and by Irish waste.
"In April last year, EHS was made aware, by an anonymous letter, of possible discharge of sodium dichromate at Silverwood. EHS immediately responded to this and found no evidence of discharge of sodium dichromate.
"However, EHS continued to monitor the site and subsequently found evidence of other pollution. Statutory water samples were then taken with a view to prosecution.
"With regard to Irish Waste, whenever EHS was alerted of alleged improper practice, we immediately informed Belfast City Council who are responsible for issuing of a licence to Irish Waste.
"We also informed the Department of Regional Development Water Service about the possibility of dangerous substances being dumped in the sewers.
"The matter of alleged fraud at Irish Waste is now being investigated by the RUC. While I cannot comment further because the matter is under investigation, I can say that EHS have and will continue to fully assist the RUC in their enquiries."
Mr Foster added: "Under devolution, I have attained a 26 per cent increase for the DOE budget. Much of this funding is being channelled towards recruiting more staff to further control pollution in our environment.
He assured the public that he and the EHS would continue to take this responsibility for the protection of the environment “very seriously”. (SP)
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