asked the Minister for the Environment if, in view of the serious effect that wholesale indiscriminate dumping of refuse is having on our countryside, he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Refuse Dumping.
24.
Powers to deal with indiscriminate dumping are available to local authorities under existing sanitary, planning and water pollution legislation. The importance of exercising their powers, where appropriate, has been stressed to local authorities on several occasions in recent years. A review of existing statutory provisions governing waste collection and disposal which has been undertaken in my Department includes consideration of the adequacy of the existing powers of local authorities relating to the control of dumping. In practice, the enforcement of legislation in this area can be difficult and local authorities have been encouraged by my Department to seek the interest and support of the public and of voluntary organisations in solving the problem.
Would the Minister agree that, if this trend continues and is brought to a logical conclusion, the potential of many of our tourist areas will decline seriously in future years? Can any positive action be taken against it?
I would say it would be a matter of considering amending legislation or strengthening the existing powers.
Is there anything the Minister can do in conjunction with the Minister for Health to set up some kind of anti-pollution committees in local authority areas to monitor the effects of this?
I will draw his attention to this matter and see what he can do about it.
Have the Minister's Department taken any steps to remove abandoned motor cars which are most unseemly and most unsightly and one of the worst results of dumping?
That is a separate question.
Sin ceist eile.
On the question of dumping, has the Minister received any representations from Board Fáilte with regard to the anti-tourist effects of dumping?
I have, in the immediate past.