12th March 2002

PRESS RELEASE

GREEN PARTY CALLS FOR BALLYOGAN DUMP MONITORING

 The Green Party has called for improved monitoring of Ballyogan Landfill site. In the light of a new survey linking birth defects with emissions from landfill sites, it called for  a proper system of controls to be put in place for the dump.

“As the useful life of this landfill site draws to a close it is essential that a state-of-the-art gas monitoring and extraction system is put in place”, stated Ciarán Cuffe of the Green Party. “That would include the drilling and pumping out of methane gases in the landfill itself. Such systems are common in the UK.

“The Trinity College Study apparently noted increased levels of birth defects amongst children born to women living within three kilometres of landfills. That would include parts of Cabinteely, Carrickmines and Foxrock.  We don’t want be alarmist, but we feel that more research and monitoring is required. We’re delighted with the Recycling park proposals for Ballyogan but it is important that it is operated to the highest environmental standards.

“As more unauthorised dumps are discovered in neighbouring counties it is all the more important that Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council operates its facilities to the highest standards.

ENDS

For further information contact:

Ciarán Cuffe, Dáil Candidate                        087 265 2075 or 618 3082