Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 2

Written Answers. - Waste Disposal.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

286 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has satisfied himself with the operation of section 55 of the Waste Management Act, 1996, in relation to the illegal dumping of waste; if adequate resources are available to the local authorities to effectively implement the provisions of the Act; and his further proposals in this regard. [4214/02]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

Section 55 of the Waste Management Act, 1996, empowers local authorities to require, by notice, specified measures to be taken in relation to the holding, recovery or disposal of waste in order to prevent or limit environmental pollution. Failure to comply with a notice under this section constitutes an offence and may be prosecuted accordingly.

While I have no function in relation to the implementation by local authorities of this provision of the 1996 Act, I understand that the relevant powers are used generally by local authorities to require the cessation of unauthorised waste activity and, if necessary, the taking of measures to mitigate or remedy the effects of such activity. I am not aware of any general difficulties arising from the implementation of this section.

I am satisfied that adequate resources are being made available to local authorities to implement the 1996 Act. In 2002, an amount of €593 million in general purpose funding has been allocated to local authorities from the local government fund. Allocations for 2002 are on average more than 74% greater than the initial allocations for 1997, and represent an increase of about 10% on the baseline allocations provided for 2001. General purpose grants from the local government fund are additional to specific grants for purposes such as roads, water services, etc., and supplement authorities' income from local sources such as commercial rates, waste charges and landfill gate fees. It is largely a matter for authorities themselves to decide how these general-purpose grants should be spent.

Concerns have been raised that the introduction of the proposed landfill levy, which among other things will generate significant revenues for the Environment Fund, could give rise to perverse effects such as increased fly-tipping or dumping. Accordingly, I intend to direct a significant proportion of the revenues from the levy to support dedicated and measurable additional enforcement initiatives with regard to control of fly-tipping and unauthorised waste activities, and I have asked local authorities for proposals in this regard.