Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 February 2005
136 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made by his Department, in co-operation with the authorities in Northern Ireland, in the investigation into illegal cross-Border dumping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3910/05]
View answerWhile enforcement of waste regulations is a matter for the local authorities and the office of environmental enforcement, I am determined to ensure that whatever resources are required to tackle the problem of illegal dumping are made available and that current initiatives will succeed.
The office has consolidated environmental enforcement activity through the establishment of a national enforcement network. This network is harnessing the collective resources, expertise and investigative capacity of all the agencies engaged in stamping out illegal activity in Ireland. The network pools and co-ordinates the resources of the local authorities, the Garda Síochána, the Environment and Heritage Service in Northern Ireland and my Department. This is resulting in a step up in actions against unauthorised waste movement including roadblocks and inspections of premises.
The initial focus of the network is in dealing with unauthorised waste activity in Ireland and, in particular, the issue of illegal cross-Border movement of waste from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland. The network is bringing a level of consistency and focus to waste enforcement in Ireland that did not exist prior to its establishment and targeted roadblocks and inspections of suspect premises have occurred.
Two dedicated working groups have been set up within the enforcement network to work on the issues of unauthorised waste activities and transfrontier shipment of waste, including representatives of the local authorities, the Northern Ireland authorities and my Department. The unauthorised waste working group's functions include co-ordination of enforcement actions against companies and individuals involved in the illegal movement and disposal of waste in Ireland. Information and recommendations emerging from this process support a systematic plan of action to tackle offenders.
A nationwide concerted action was held on 30 November 2004, which involved members of the Garda Síochána and waste enforcement officers from 15 local authorities, in addition to inspectors from the office and the Environment and Heritage Service in Northern Ireland. The office provided assistance to the Garda Síochána in carrying out an investigation into ten sites in Ireland suspected of being involved in illegally moving waste to Northern Ireland. This action is part of a broader criminal investigation and illustrates that the necessary communication channels, set up in the enforcement network, have already borne fruit in the successful completion of a co-ordinated action involving 18 sites in the United Kingdom and ten in Ireland. Wexford County Council has also obtained a High Court injunction against a waste operator preventing unauthorised movement of waste to Northern Ireland.
The office has commissioned a study, to be completed in mid-2005, on unauthorised waste activities. This will include, inter alia, establishing as completely as possible the extent of unauthorised activities, reviewing current procedures and developing improved guidance for investigation of unauthorised activities.
In summary, I am satisfied that the comprehensive new structures now being put in place are delivering a significantly enhanced waste enforcement service. The allocation of dedicated waste enforcement staff to local authorities, coupled with the efforts of the enforcement network in co-ordinating activities and providing training, means that we are now in a better position to identify and suppress irregular waste movements and illegal cross-Border waste trafficking.
