BIM resumes full service at three ice plants

Full service has resumed at three ice plants (Kilmore Quay, Howth, Dunmore East) which had temporarily ceased production on July 31, following an internal health and safety audit that revealed risks to employee safety.

Howth, north Co Dublin, one of three ice plants affected

No interruption of ice supply to fishermen or risk to public safety was experienced during this time, assured the sea-fisheries development agency. 

Following an ‘extensive review’ by health and safety experts, the most immediate risks outlined were addressed, enabling production to resume. These were identified as ‘operational issues’ and ‘implemention of revised work practices’.

“In each of the three ports, fishermen availed of the service and at no stage were reserve stocks fully depleted. There was no interruption whatsoever to the servcie provided to the industry by BIM. We are unequivocal in our commitment to the safety of employees as well as contractors and acted decisively to address the issues identified in the audit,” remarked Michael Keatinge, BIM’s interim CEO.

Francis O’Donnell, CEO of the Irish Fish Producer’s Organisation said he was confident from the outset the problem would be resovled quickly. He added that BIM had also committed to truck ice from other plants if necessary until the issues had been resolved.

“The industry was not impacted by the temporary closure. There was a lot of misinformation reported in the media; nobody was left short of ice.

“Health and safety issues are of paramount importance and extend to all areas of business, private or public. Once a safety issue is observed, it has to be resovled and that can take time. 

“BIM has an excellent working relationship with fish producer organisations across Ireland and its staff pulled out all the stops to rectify the problem'” he said.