asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the present indiscriminate dumping of refuse throughout the country, the steps he is taking to alleviate the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Refuse Dumping.
641.
All local authorities have been requested to undertake local environment campaigns with emphasis on organising local voluntary effort to remove eyesores and to improve surroundings generally. I made a special environment award to Wexford on 23 November as the county in which the best response to this request was made in the current year.
Powers to deal with waste disposal in various forms are available to local authorities under sanitary, planning and water pollution legislation and they are urged to make full use of such powers to protect the environment. The European Communities (Waste) Regulations, 1979 make further provision for the planning and organisation of waste disposal operations and provide substantial penalties for offences involving the incorrect disposal of waste.
I intend to proceed as soon as possible with the Litter Bill under which local authorities will be required to take appropriate measures for preventing litter and for dealing with it, and will have greatly strengthened powers to enable them to carry out that responsibility.