Concerns in relation to a Cork quarry were aired at European level this week as the Watergrasshill Community Association (WCA) had its case heard in Brussels. The group spoke to the European Commission's Petitions Committee, which is made up of a number of MEPs.

The local residents are objecting to what they claim are breaches of European legislation, in connection with a decision of Cork County Council to allow quarrying over a regionally important aquifer.

Water supply

An aquifer is an underground layer of rock that is permeable and carries water. According to Barry Curtin of the WCA, layers of rock in the area that are being removed through the quarrying process "have been filtering our water for years" and removal of the rock is endangering the community's water supply. Curtin also maintains that there are legal issues in relation to planning modifications made to the site by the Council.

Having first contacted the Local Authority over ten years ago in relation to the community's concerns about the quarry, Curtin expressed his satisfaction with the result of the petition.

"We didn't get taken notice of when we made representations and aired our concerns at local level but now I'm delighted the Commission will investigate our case," he said.

"There's been four hydrogeological surveys carried out on the area and they have concluded that the water-holding body is very vulnerable." The hearing at the Petitions Committee was sponsored by Fine Gael MEP, Sean Kelly, who said the petition was well received by committee members. "It was very well presented with slides and overheads and all the worries that the WCA have were expressed. It's important to note that it is not jus the residents in the Watergrasshill area who could be at risk, but a further 50,000 living in the surrounding areas."

Ministerial response

Kelly went on to call on the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, John Gormley, to co-operate with the European Commission's investigations into the case. After the Petitions Committee met, Kelly expressed his dissatisfaction at Minister Gormley's failure to respond to its queries regarding the requirement for an Environmental Impact Assessment for the quarry.

"The Commission told the Petitions Committee that they still do not know the size of the lands being quarried at Watergrasshill as they are awaiting a response from the Irish Government since last summer, this is unacceptable," said Kelly.

"We have a situation here where drinking water of an entire community is at risk. While I am in favour of development, especially in rural areas, the proper steps must be taken to ensure that our drinking water is protected. "It is not acceptable to have people faced with the threat of having to boil their water or to buy expensive bottled water.

Therefore I welcome the fact that the Commission and the Petitions Committee have told us today that they intend to write once again to Minister Gormley about the quarry and I urge Mr Gormley to act upon these letters without further delay." Kelly also commended Mr Curtin and all in the WCA on their hard work and perseverance over the years in bringing the matter "all the way to Brussels".

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