Minister for the Environment John Gormley has told the Dáil that he will seek Cabinet approval for a health study in Cork Harbour.
The Minister was responding to reports today that cancer rates in the urban area of Cobh are 44% higher than the national average.
The National Cancer Registry points out that the incidence of cancer is linked to social and economic status, and that while urban Cobh has a comparatively high cancer incidence, it also has a high deprivation score.
While there is nothing to link the findings to the town's proximity to the former Irish Steel plant at Haulbowline, residents say they are worried and need an immediate response.
