Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
153. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the dumping task forces; and if consideration will be given to establishing a number of task forces in Cork city. [41580/22]
View answerUnder the Waste Management Act, primary responsibility for waste management and enforcement lies with the Local Authorities and it is a matter for each Local Authority to determine the most appropriate course of action to tackle illegal dumping locally within the legislation provided. I am satisfied that the appropriate national, regional and local structures are in place to support strong enforcement action by local authorities with significant funding provided by my Department through, inter alia, the Waste Enforcement Measures Grants Scheme and the Anti-Dumping Initiative.
Operationally, the National Waste Enforcement Steering Committee oversees the work of the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities which were established to position the local authority sector to better respond to emerging and priority waste enforcement challenges.
The Circular Economy Bill, which recently completed its progression through the Oireachtas, will, when enacted, facilitate the use of CCTV and other Audio Visual Recording equipment in order to further assist local authorities in their efforts to combat illegal dumping.
