SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole has raised serious concerns regarding the failure of the AERA Minister, Andrew Muir, to intervene at a bonfire site in south Belfast that contains large quantities of asbestos. The bonfire, located near Meridi Street, is set to be lit within days.

Mr O’Toole stressed that as the Minister responsible for the Northern Ireland Environmental Agency (NIEA), Mr Muir has a clear duty to address this critical matter.

Speaking as South Belfast MLA, Mr O’Toole stated: "It is absolutely crazy that we are days away from a bonfire being lit yards away from a significant amount of asbestos. This will pose a real risk to the public health of everyone in the vicinity of this bonfire and it’s clear that given how harmful this material is it will be almost impossible to mitigate that risk." He emphasised that his concern was not with the bonfire itself or cultural celebrations. "This is not about the bonfire itself, everyone has the right to celebrate their culture and I recognise the importance of the bonfire to people in this area. However, we have seen Belfast City Council and the NIEA pass the buck between each other when it comes to removing this material and Minister Muir has failed to take charge of this situation."

Mr O’Toole further highlighted the SDLP's efforts at a local level: "In Belfast City Council the SDLP was the only party to call for this material to be removed and in the absence of an agreed way forward Minister Muir has a duty to intervene. Allowing a bonfire to be lit beside asbestos would not be allowed to happen in any other jurisdiction and we shouldn’t have to put up with it here. I am calling on the Minister to direct the NIEA to do everything possible to remove this risk before the bonfire is lit later this week."