Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 23 March 2021
23 Mar 2021 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Topical Question Time
Mossmorran Ethylene Plant (Independent Review)
SEPA has indicated that the plant now has a clear pathway to compliance, but the community is still sceptical, after years of disruption and misery that have been caused by failures and flaring. What assurances can the cabinet secretary give to local residents, given that SEPA has rejected proposals to install a suitably qualified and experienced expert at the site to ensure compliance and to monitor progress on the day-to-day installation of the new low-noise flare tip?
In the same item of business
2. Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green)
Green
To ask the Scottish Government how the regulation of Mossmorran ethylene plant will change following the independent review. (S5T-02719)
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (Roseanna Cunningham)
SNP
As the member is aware, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency published the outcome of the Irish Environmental Protection Agency’s peer review of its re...
Mark Ruskell
Green
After five years of highlighting the misery of communities living in the shadow of Mossmorran, I welcome the progress that has been made and pay tribute to l...
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
I am glad that Mark Ruskell considers that there has been progress—I believe that a great deal of progress has been made. I pointed to the 20 recommendations...
Mark Ruskell
Green
I welcome that response. Although the regulatory improvements are welcome, Mossmorran remains Scotland’s third largest climate polluter, and it will be impos...
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
There is constant discussion within Government and between the Government and a variety of partners in different sectors of the economy on how we go forward....
Annabelle Ewing (Cowdenbeath) (SNP)
SNP
The Irish EPA’s recommendations on enhanced air quality monitoring and wider community engagement are very welcome. Indeed, I have been calling for such acti...
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
I know that Annabelle Ewing has been closely involved in the matter for some time, and I value her constructive engagement on it. As I have indicated, work o...
Alexander Stewart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
SEPA has indicated that the plant now has a clear pathway to compliance, but the community is still sceptical, after years of disruption and misery that have...
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
I think that Alexander Stewart is referring to the recommendation on having a dedicated site agent, which is one of the two recommendations that SEPA is not ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
That concludes topical questions. Before we move on to the next item of business, I remind all members that, if you are coming in and out of the chamber, the...