Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2013
232. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total cost involved in dealing with instances of diesel wash in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal and Louth in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43275/13]
View answerEnforcement in relation to illegal diesel laundering activities is primarily a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. The information sought in the Question is not held by my Department. However, between 2008 and 2012 my Department has provided funding of €4,074,258 on an exceptional basis in recognition of the particular difficulties which arose for the local authorities concerned in responding to instances of illegal dumping of oil-laundering residues, particularly in relation to costs incurred by them in arranging for the safe disposal abroad of the hazardous materials involved. Both Louth and Monaghan County Councils have received the most significant levels of support with €3,400,931 being reimbursed to Louth and €620,599 to Monaghan during the years in question. In addition smaller amounts have been reimbursed to both Cavan and Offaly County Councils.
I believe that a complete solution to this problem must necessarily involve more effective and co-ordinated enforcement of the law from both a revenue and waste management perspective. In that context, my Department continues to liaise with representatives of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the local authorities concerned and the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement to seek to identify more effective enforcement solutions, and these engagements will continue.
