A spokeswoman for the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate confirmed on Tuesday that a ''small sealed bag allegedly containing asbestos'' had been brought into the directorate's offices at Dame Pattie Menzies House.

A member of the public had walked in with the bag on August 30 to ask if staff could confirm if the substance was asbestos before leaving. Tests concluded it was asbestos.

The spokeswoman said: ''The directorate took immediate steps to ensure that the material was isolated and the area made safe.''

This included notifying police and removing the material.

''Appropriate experts … were immediately contacted including the police … the Environment Protection Authority, and an independent expert to undertake testing and removal of the material. The work areas were given the 'all clear' the next day by the independent expert.''