Vol. 563 No. 1
536 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his plans to establish a new body to investigate illegal waste disposal activities; the way in which this will be staffed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7217/03]
Primary responsibility for investigation of unauthorised waste activity lies with the relevant local authority or the EPA, as appropriate. In such investigations, assistance may be sought from other State agencies, including the gardai.
Improving implementation and enforcement of environmental legislation generally is one of my key concerns and action in this regard is being taken on a range of fronts.
The Protection of the Environment Bill 2003, now before Seanad Éireann, proposes a number of amendments to the Waste Management Act 1996 that will facilitate more effective and direct enforcement of that legislation. In particular, they will enable more expeditious legal proceedings to secure the cessation of unauthorised activity and-or appropriate environmental remediation.
I propose very shortly to allocate resources from the environment fund directly to local authorities, to enable them to improve their overall environmental enforcement efforts, with particular regard to unauthorised waste activity.
Finally, An Agreed Programme for Government provides for the establishment of an office of environmental enforcement to secure further improvements in implementation and enforcement of environmental legislation, including in the waste management area. Work is under way on the development of detailed proposals in this regard and will be completed as soon as possible.
