Vol. 525 No. 3
254 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has any initiatives in relation to the removal of abandoned scrap cars throughout the country, in view of the fact the numbers have increased arising out of the national car test. [24893/00]
It is incumbent on the owner of an end-of-life vehicle to dispose of it in a responsible manner, by transferring it to one of a number of facilities that have been permitted under the Waste Management (Permit) Regulations, 1998, to undertake the dismantling and recovery of such vehicles.
Section 32(1) of the Waste Management Act, 1996, prohibits the holding, transport, recovery or disposal of waste in a manner that causes or is likely to cause environmental pollution. This general duty of care applies, inter alia, to the owner of an ELV. Section 71 of the 1996 Act specifically prohibits the abandonment of vehicles on any land and empowers local authorities to deal appropriately with abandoned cars. The enforcement and implementation of these provisions is a matter for individual local authorities.
I also refer to the reply to Question No. 102 today with regard to the development by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry of a producer responsibility initiative in relation to ELVs.
