Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 July 2019
759. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress or outcome of the tier 2 site investigation into an illegal dump (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31001/19]
View answer760. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the cost to date of funding under the landfill remediation program for a site (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if the funding has conditions attached to it. [31002/19]
View answer761. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will instruct or advise the EPA to conduct further investigations into a site (details supplied) including water and soil testing to ascertain if there is toxic leakage into the surrounding water courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31003/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 759 to 761, inclusive together.
The role of my Department is to provide a comprehensive legislative and policy framework through which waste enforcement authorities operate. Under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996, as Minister I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) or a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it.
Notwithstanding this fact, I am aware of waste management issues in relation to this site and the response to these issues by Donegal County Council.
The Local Authority has had extensive involvement with various statutory stakeholders, landowners and other parties in relation to these matters. The Council continues to work with the EPA and the Waste Management Planning Authorities in order to determine any risk to the environment and to identify remedial measures that may need to be put in place at this location.
To support this, my Department has allocated €80,000 under the 2019 Landfill Remediation Programme with respect to this site. A total of €8,000 was allocated to complete the Tier 1 risk assessment in 2017.
The Tier 2 risk assessment is on-going and a tendering process for the site investigation works and associated laboratory analysis is nearing completion. Following appointment of contractors, the site works and laboratory analysis are expected to be completed within 3 months and the final report is expected to be completed a month later.
