Vol. 543 No. 1
202 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the further action he proposes to take to prevent large-scale illegal encampments such as an encampment at a location (details supplied) in Dublin 14. [25723/01]
I recognise that unauthorised encampments continue to be a source of concern and contention for both the Traveller and settled communities. The increased provision of accommodation resulting from the implementation of the five-year local Traveller accommodation programmes, including the provision of a network of transient sites throughout the country, is designed to reduce the incidence of illegal encampments.
Local authorities have a range of powers under section 32 of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998 in relation to unauthorised Traveller encampments which are on public land and on the roadside, located within specified distances of Traveller accommodation provided by any housing authority or voluntary body with the assistance of a housing authority, or in poor condition or interfere with amenities or are likely to be, or are, a risk to personal or public health or safety.
There are other powers available to local authorities such as those available under the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1948 in relation to the prohibition of temporary dwellings in certain areas and controls under environmental, litter, waste management and public health legislation and the legislation relating to the control of dogs and horses. Under the Roads Acts, vehicles must not be parked in a manner which interferes with the normal flow of traffic or which obstructs or endangers other traffic.
