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Tag Archives: Aughinish Alumina

Fears expressed over Aughinish impact on estuary dolphins

GRAVE concerns about the possible impact on dolphins from the expansion of a controversial Bauxite Residue Disposal Area (BRDA) for the largest alumina plant in Europe were outlined to An Bord Pleanála recently. An Bord Pleanála has given Rusal Aughinish Alumina Limited (AAL) the green light to deposit an extra eight million m3 of bauxite residue in total at its plant, despite trenchant opposition from Futureproof Clare, local farmers, Environmental Trust Ireland and environmental groups. This decision will allow the Russian-owned company to carry out a major expansion of its Bauxite Residue Disposal Area (BRDA), extending the life of the plant for an extra nine years up to 2039. In a submission to the appeals’ board on behalf of Dolphin Watch, Mary Kate Bolger, who has a qualification in zoology and marine biology specialising in bottlenose dolphins, outlined the creatures play a vital role in the eco-system by balancing populations of predatory fish and squid thereby protecting the entire eco-system …

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Permission granted to expand controversial Estuary factory

AN Bord Pleanála has given Rusal Aughinish Alumina Limited (AAL) the green light for controversial expansion plans despite trenchant opposition from environmental groups. This decision will allow the Russian-owned company to carry out a major expansion of its Bauxite Residue Disposal Area (BRDA), extending the life of the plant for an extra nine years up to 2039. The company was given permission last year to begin rock-blasting for the next 10 years to a depth of 8.5m on its site following a review of its licence by the EPA. It will enable the company to deposit an extra eight million m3 of bauxite residue in total at its plant. Futureproof Clare, local farmers and Environmental Trust Ireland were among the groups to object to the granting of planning permission. Documents submitted to An Bord Pleanála by Town Planning Consultants Tom Phillips and Associates outlined the plant would cease operations in 2030 “based on current production levels” of 1.9 million tonnes …

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Call for inquiry into the health effects of Estuary industry

AN independent public inquiry needs to be undertaken to properly assess the impact of industries situated along the Shannon Estuary on the environment and health of Clare people. That’s according to Deputy Cathal Crowe who is supporting calls from local environment campaigner Pat Geoghegan for a fresh look at the impact of local industries in view of the findings of an epidemiologist. In an interview with the Clare Champion, Deputy Crowe said concerned residents living on both sides of the estuary want more than the current level of EPA inspections on industries releasing substances into the atmosphere. The Fianna Fáil Deputy stressed this call isn’t about jeopardising jobs provided by these industries but centres on appropriately addressing legitimate concerns of environmental campaigners who claim to have a body of evidence justifying their dissatisfaction with current levels of environmental protection. The Meelick Deputy said it was important that air monitoring stations should be permanently located on the Clare side of the …

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WATCH: TDs join protest calling for fresh Aughinish investigation

SEVEN Dáil deputies from different political groups joined a protest by Pat and Nuala Geoghegan outside Leinster House calling for new public inquiry into Rusal Aughinish Alumina’s environmental and health impacts. Three deputies – Paul Murphy, Matt Carthy and Mattie McGrath also raised grave concerns with the Taoiseach Micheál Martin about representations made to people conducting the €5.2 million Askeaton Health investigation. The protest was attended by Paul Murphy TD (People Before Profit), Catherine Connolly (Independent Group), Matt Carthy (Sinn Fein), Mattie McGrath (Rural Independent Group), Ivana Bacik (Labour Party), Willie O’Dea (Fianna Fail) and Peadar Tobin (Aountu). Catherine Murphy (Social Democrats) also offered support but couldn’t make it to the protest. In his speech, Paul Murphy brought to light new evidence, which he claims further discredits the previous investigation into serious animal and human health problems near the factory. The Geoghegans from West Limerick have regularly pointed to 18 medical samples taken during that investigation that went missing. Deputy …

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Taoiseach accused of blocking inquiry into Estuary plant

Claims that Rusal Aughinish Alumina, the largest alumina plant in Europe, used lobbyist Frank Dunlop as its “fixer” have been levelled in the Dáil, writes Dan Danaher. Deputy Paul Murphy told the Dáil on Wednesday afternoon he wanted to raise a “shocking example of where the state is failing to protect the well-being of people”. “Those living in the shadow of the Aughinish Alumina plant in County Limerick have suffered massively from the toxic pollution from that plant.” “People have gotten sick, animals have died and livelihoods have been wiped out by the pollution. When an investigation was done into the health impacts of the plant, Aughinish used the notorious Frank Dunlop as their fixer. “Later 18 medical samples from Pat Geoghegan and his family mysteriously disappeared.” Deputy Murphy said when the Taoiseach was Health Minister he was on record as supporting an independent inquiry into the missing samples. However, Deputy Murphy claimed Deputy Martin did a “u-turn” and ended …

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