Enforcement action against illegal waste activity is a matter for the local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and my Department does not compile statistics in relation to fines imposed. For the years 2009 to 2011, such statistics are publicly accessible through the Local Government Management Agency's series of annual reports on Service Indicators in Local Authorities, available from the publications section of the LGMA's website www.lgma.ie.
My Department continues to provide significant financial support to a network of local authority waste enforcement officers, as well as to the Office of Environmental Enforcement. My Department also provides the legislative framework under which both local authority and EPA enforcement action is initiated. Notwithstanding the significant penalties already in place for both littering and illegal dumping, my Department is currently preparing legislative proposals that would provide for the introduction of a specific on-the-spot fine for incidences of fly-tipping or small-scale illegal dumping. Subject to approval by the Government, I would expect to be in a position to forward the Heads of Bill to the Office of the Attorney General for drafting shortly.
