Calls have been made for "urgent action" after an RTE Investigates report revealed that up to one million litres of oil from heavy duty electrical cables has leaked into Dublin's Royal and Grand Canals.
The Environmental Protection Agency has launched an investigation into serious safety hazards within the ESB Network that span two decades.
The biggest concern highlighted is the leaking of vast quantities of insulating oil from the national grid which continues to this day.
Councillor Chris Andrews has called the revelations "deeply disturbing", particularly about the area of the Grand Canal between Ringsend and Harold's Cross.
A spokesperson from Dublin City Council said that apart from two incidents in 2009 and 2011, the local authority was not informed about leaks from the underground network.
Councillor Andrews said: “These revelations are deeply disturbing. It is scandalous that such a volume of oil leaks across Dublin City was known to the ESB, but never reported to either the EPA or the City Council.
"We do not know the full implications of these leaks for the environment and for human health.
"Urgent action is required; a full assessment of damage done and a programme to prevent further leaks.
“The Sinn Féin Group on Dublin City Council will be calling for a full report on this to be given by Chief Executive Owen Keegan at the first full meeting of the new City Council on 17 June.”
