The EPA compiles comparative statistics on local authority performance on waste enforcement activity under the Recommended Criteria for Environmental Inspection (RMCEI) process. Their most recent report in this regard is for the period 2018 and is available on their website at www.epa.ie. The 2019 report is due for publication in March of this year. The Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLA) Annual Report for 2019, available at www.werla.ie also contains useful data regarding actions taken by local authorities under the Waste Management Act.
My Department continues to work closely with both the EPA and the WERLAs through the National Waste Enforcement Steering Committee to ensure that the legislation in place is robust and effective in assisting their enforcement efforts.
Ireland's Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, published September 2020, shows the national trend in illegal dumping has been generally positive in recent years with the level of large-scale illegal dumping being significantly reduced in Ireland relative to that seen in the late 1990s and early 2000s. My Department is aware that there was an increase in the number of calls reporting illegal dumping during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and continues to liaise with enforcement staff in the waste enforcement regional lead authorities (WERLAs), local authorities and other agencies. This information will help us to decide on priorities for 2021 funding and enforcement activities.
The Waste Action Plan contains a number of commitments relating to waste enforcement legislation and my Department is currently working on a Circular Economy Bill, which will contain provisions to give effect to the commitments in the Plan.
