This article is from page 10 of the 2006-10-03 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
PRECISE details relating to a number of security-related aspects of the €10 million plan to construct an explosives factory on the shores of the Shannon estuary are to remain a secret.
According to the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) lodged with the plan, “Irish law dictates that selected information, in particular process engineering and security aspects of the proposed developments, are considered security sensitive.”
The EIS states, “The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has the legal right to restrict the disclosure of information, which might pose a risk to national security.
“Therefore, details of selected detailed information submitted are classified and under security control of the Department of Justice and the Garda Síochána in order to ensure that explosives are adequately secured and protected at the site.
This information includes storage arrangements and the detailed design of the buildings in which the explosives are stored; details on security lighting, perimeter fence and any other on-site security systems; the process for manufacture of explosives and details on explosives transport arrangement to and from the site.
The EIS states, “though these arrangements and details are not made known to the public, the public may be assured that they meet the specifications of the Government’s Inspector of Explosives in relation to safety and the Garda in relation to security.”
The EIS states that outline details on all of the sensitive information are available to the public.
“Additional information, if required, may be sought from the Inspector of Explosives and the gardaí subject to security clearance of the person seeking the information.”
It goes on, “In this context, it should be noted that no restriction has been placed on the disclosure of information to the planning authorities, but only on its publication to the public by the planning authorities.”
It adds, “No restriction has been placed by the Minister on the disclosure of information relating to the safety or the environmental impact of the proposal save insofar as such information may be considered security sensitive.
“In imposing such a restriction, the Government Inspector of Explosives has liaised closely with senior Garda members.
“It is noted that this approach has been ratified by means of the judgement of the High Court judicial review proceedings case. No information relating to the proposed development has been omitted from the EIS.”
The statement also points out that Shannon Explosives Ltd will implement state-of-the-art safety and security procedures and systems.