Illegal Dumping

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017

Tuesday, 2 May 2017

Questions (55)

Bríd Smith

Question:

55. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if her attention has been drawn to illegal dumping at the Glenveagh National Park in an area situated within the park and opposite the staff entrance to the park; if such dumping is a breach of EU regulations, the Water Pollution Act or the Invasive Species Act; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that this is taking place in a protected area and special area of conservation in addition to being in a national heritage area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20400/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

The location to which is referred is a disused borrow pit immediately adjacent to the R251 road and the administrative and works depot at the headquarters of Glenveagh National Park. The habitats adjacent to the borrow pit include willow scrub, and roadside margin vegetation. There is no woodland, active blanket bog, or other Special Area of Conservation qualifying interest habitats at this location. The site is used temporarily to store large boulders and other building material for works necessary within the managed zone of the National Park. Examples of such works include rock armour and surface dressing of internal roads and car parks, trench works in or around the many buildings’ yards and gardens within the park. The temporary storage of such materials facilitates efficient reuse of natural materials within the managed zone of the Park and minimises the need to import such material from elsewhere.

The material currently temporarily stored at the site is both stable and inactive. My understanding is that it does not represent an environmental threat.  It should be noted however that it is intended to remove the material in the near future as part of the park works programme.