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04/06/2013
'I Wrote To Councils Over Quarries' - Attwood
Environment Minister Alex Attwood says he had previously written to Councils regarding the safety of disused quarries.
The Minister's comments come in the wake of the deaths of two people at the weekend in a disused quarry.
He said: "I want to express my condolences to the families and friends of Kevin O’Hare and Colin Polland who died so tragically at the weekend in the quarry in Annalong. This is an immensely difficult time. The sympathy of all goes to the families."
But Mr Attwood explained: "Some time ago, particularly after meeting the family of one of the people who had died in a disused quarry, I believed that there were further steps that could be taken to increase safety at disused quarries, given that there are around 3,000 disused quarries and gravel pits in Northern Ireland.
"I first wrote to local Councils in March, asking that each Council reviews all disused quarries in their Council area, conduct physical inspections, evaluate each site including risks and work, including with landowners and quarry owners, to resolve foreseeable risk. The Councils have legal responsibilities around disused quarries. This work has commenced in a number of Councils. It needs to accelerate, to identify what measures are needed to reduce risk and increase responsibility.
"Second, I wrote to the Quarry Producers Association NI (QPANI). Before this weekend tragedy, the QPANI were to meet with me on 18 June 2013 – that meeting is more necessary. The QPANI understands the issue which is why, for example, QPANI wrote only last month to all Principals of schools promoting the “Stay Safe – Stay Out” campaign when it comes to quarries. The quarry owners have a big responsibility and should assess what more they should do."
Minister Attwood said there are issues "that need to be addressed".
"This weekend confirms why this work is needed and why measures that can be taken, should be," he added.
"In the rundown to the school holidays, this work was urgent. It is more so now."
(IT/CD)
The Minister's comments come in the wake of the deaths of two people at the weekend in a disused quarry.
He said: "I want to express my condolences to the families and friends of Kevin O’Hare and Colin Polland who died so tragically at the weekend in the quarry in Annalong. This is an immensely difficult time. The sympathy of all goes to the families."
But Mr Attwood explained: "Some time ago, particularly after meeting the family of one of the people who had died in a disused quarry, I believed that there were further steps that could be taken to increase safety at disused quarries, given that there are around 3,000 disused quarries and gravel pits in Northern Ireland.
"I first wrote to local Councils in March, asking that each Council reviews all disused quarries in their Council area, conduct physical inspections, evaluate each site including risks and work, including with landowners and quarry owners, to resolve foreseeable risk. The Councils have legal responsibilities around disused quarries. This work has commenced in a number of Councils. It needs to accelerate, to identify what measures are needed to reduce risk and increase responsibility.
"Second, I wrote to the Quarry Producers Association NI (QPANI). Before this weekend tragedy, the QPANI were to meet with me on 18 June 2013 – that meeting is more necessary. The QPANI understands the issue which is why, for example, QPANI wrote only last month to all Principals of schools promoting the “Stay Safe – Stay Out” campaign when it comes to quarries. The quarry owners have a big responsibility and should assess what more they should do."
Minister Attwood said there are issues "that need to be addressed".
"This weekend confirms why this work is needed and why measures that can be taken, should be," he added.
"In the rundown to the school holidays, this work was urgent. It is more so now."
(IT/CD)
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