The Green Party in Cork has called on the Health and Safety Authority to initiate an inquiry into safety standards at the Irish Ispat steel plant at Haulbowline in Cork harbour, following the second explosion there within a month.
No one was injured in the either incident, but the first explosion almost destroyed the transformer station at the plant and curtailed production to the point that the jobs of more than 400 employees were put at risk.
Irish Ispat took over Irish Steel some years ago in a deal which allowed them to acquire it for a nominal sum in return for the promise of more than £30 million investment over five years.
Yesterday Mr Dan Boyle, the Green Party councillor on Cork Corporation, reiterated his call on the Health and Safety Authority to launch an investigation into plant safety at the former Irish Steel installation - the only steel plant in the Republic.
The authority said it was investigating the first explosion and will send officials to Haulbowline in connection with the second incident.
"It's time we had a public statement from the HSA on safety standards at Irish Ispat," Mr Boyle said.
"It would seem that the quality of equipment there leaves a lot to be desired," he added.
Yesterday's blast shook houses in the nearby harbour area. It is understood that hot slag was being removed from a furnace when it reacted with damp air. A steam and dust eruption followed after a loud bang.
Last month's explosion caused damage estimated at £500,000, but yesterday's incident did not stop production and was of no major financial loss to the company.
Irish Ispat declined to issue a statement last night.