A deaf ear to quarry concerns

Residents of Fettercairn in Tallaght, one of the most disadvantaged areas in the country, have complained that on many days there is a blanket of dust in the area from the nearby Roadstone (CRH) quarry. There is a belief that this contributes to repetitive chest and breathing problems. Aside from the dust, there is regular blasting at the quarry. There is fear that the ongoing discharge of explosives is causing structural damage to homes.

A resident has said: "Dust from Roadstone quarry is causing the family respiratory problems, in particular asthma and wheezing, with many trips to the doctor that I cannot afford." Another said: "Blasting from Roadstone quarry is damaging house structures and the noise and vibrations are unbearable . . . I have a huge structural crack in my main outside wall. My house rocks at 2.40pm each day from blasting." This is all taken from a recent report, Taking the First Steps to a Healthier Fettercairn, published by the Fettercairn Community Health Project Managements Committee, a local organisation established to improve the community there.

CRH is by far the biggest and most successful company in Ireland. It had a turnover last year of almost €19 billion and operating profits of €1.8 billion. Its chief executive, Liam O'Mahony, is the highest paid executive in the country. His salary was €1.6 million last year, but he received share options to the value of €6.5 million.

His total of €8.1 million represents a multiple of probably 500 of the average earnings of the Fettercairn adult residents.

On the CRH website there is a section on "social responsibility". On "social policy" there is the following: "CRH companies form an integral part of the communities in which they operate. We are committed to ensuring that the genuine needs, views and interests of the local community are taken into consideration and we are sensitive to the impact our operations may have on our neighbours, particularly those in the immediate vicinity of our businesses."

In the light of all of the above, I sent a list of questions to CRH last week and got the following replies:

1. What liaison was there with the local community of Fettercairn in relation to the operation of the Roadstone plant in the area (if there has been contract with local residents or community associations, with whom have those contacts been; how regular have they been; with what matters have these contacts been concerned)? "Roadstone Dublin has ongoing contact with local neighbours in the Belgard area going back over many years." This was followed by stuff such as the company "works continuously to mitigate against issues raised, through continuous improvements in the way we operate our business". No specifics, no specific answer to the specific question.

2. Is CRH aware of the concerns of the Fettercairn community about the effects of the Roadstone operation in the area? "It is regrettable that we were not made aware of the concerns raised in this report and were not offered any opportunity to respond to the issues highlighted prior to publication, some of which are factually incorrect. Nor were we aware that this report was being compiled."

3. If CRH is aware of these concerns what has CRH done about them? "At all times the company seeks to minimise the impact of its operations on the local community and maintains ongoing contact with adjacent householders, community groups or local representatives to deal with any concerns - however these specific concerns were not notified to the company." Then more stuff about compliance with various codes and regulations but, again, no specifics about Fettercairn.

4. If CRH is unaware of these concerns (in Fettercairn) how could this be so if there has been regular contact with local residents and community groups? "As stated the specific issues raised in this report were not notified to the company - the measures listed above have been put in place in recent years." No answer.

5. If there has not been regular contacts with local residents and community groups, what meaning do the CRH declarations about social responsibility et al have? "There has been contact with local residents and community groups in the area", followed by a list of ventures CRH has given money to in the area.

But if there had been such regular contacts, how was it that CRH was unaware of the health concerns in the area and unaware of the report just published and why can't we be told with whom there was contact, when such contact took place and what about?

6. What does CRH now propose to do about the concerns of the residents of Fettercairn? "The company will continue to fulfil its obligations to liaise on an ongoing basis with local community representatives and members of the local authority with regards to any relevant issues of mutual concern." Yeah.

7. What is the turnover of the Roadstone plant in the area? "Roadstone reports its profits in consolidated form in the annual CRH accounts." (ie we are not telling you!).

8. What is the profitability of that plant? As above (ie we are not telling you!).