Maze asbestos 'shambles'

Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott has said that "the Maze shambles is going from bad to worse" with news that asbestos removal did not uncover cement sheeting in underground ducts.

"While the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (OFMdFM) has confirmed that an asbestos survey was carried out prior to site clearance, yet more was uncovered in September when demolition was completed," the Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA said.

"Aside from the obvious cost implications, the fact that damaged or weathered asbestos-cement sheeting can easily crumble, releasing airborne asbestos fibres, is a real concern. These fibres, if inhaled, can be deadly.

"The health risks for workers on-site are significant, given that the sheets could well have been disturbed during the demolition process.

"This oversight, while disappointing and worrying, is hardly surprising in the context of the overall Maze debacle.

"Having already shelved plans for a stadium, OFMDFM earlier this year sought £2.5million for the purpose of decontaminating the site. The first sweep for asbestos, which failed to spot sheeting in the underground ducts, cost £160,000. Now we're looking at additional costs.

"These mounting sums, amid a catalogue of failures, are an indictment on the whole process, which has, in an overarching sense, been crippled by OFMdFM's chronic inability to reach agreement."