Fianna Fáil councillors were among those who called on Minister Gormley to resign over what they claim is the Minister's poor handling of the toxic contamination scandal at Haulbowline in Cork Harbour.

Recently a joint delegation from Cork County Council and Cobh Town Council travelled to Dublin to meet consultants and department officials to discuss the issue, but Minister Gormley was unable to attend the meeting. His non-attendance precipitated a furious response form councillors of all parties at this week's council meeting with many calling for his resignation.

Labour councillor John Mulvihill said he "would not let the issue be brushed under the carpet," and would "not let it lie". He added that he was "totally disgusted" with the minister and accused him of "hiding behind" the consultants.

Fine Gael's Tim Lombard said the minister was "doing himself no favours" by failing to see the councillors while Sinn Féin's Martin Hallinan said, "shame on the minister for not having the decency to meet us". Fianna Fáil's Maurice Ahern said, "If the Greens were in opposition they would be screaming and shouting about this," while his party colleague Deirdre Forde said, "Minister Gormley doesn't know whether he is coming or going and perhaps it is now time he considered his position".

Green Party senator, Dan Boyle reacted angrily to the attacks on his part colleague saying, "Many of these people are the very ones who are responsible for doing absolutely nothing about Haulbowline for years. Minister Gormley is the first Environment Minister to take action on this issue and when the report is published action will be taken".

A spokesperson for the minister who is currently on holidays told the Cork Independent, "The Minister has already met with local TDs and had been very open and frank regarding the whole issue. He would never snub people intentionally and will continue to keep channels of communication open".

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