Vol. 550 No. 2
407 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the action which has been taken as a result of receiving a detailed report into illegal dumping in County Louth, which identifies the exact location of a massive illegal dump; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8269/02]
408 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will forward a report to the Environmental Protection Agency prepared by a court approved water keeper, into illegal dumping in County Louth; if he will request the EPA to carry out a detailed analysis of the site in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8270/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 407 and 408 together.
Under section 59 of the 1996 Act, each local authority is responsible for the supervision, and the enforcement, of the relevant provisions of the Act in relation to the holding, recovery and disposal of waste within its functional area. Neither functions of this kind nor in relation to the investigation of unauthorised waste activities have been conferred on the Minister for the Environment and Local Government.
Arising from certain allegations, documented by an individual water keeper, received in my Department concerning waste activities at or connected with a facility managed by a company which received grant assistance under the Operational Programme for Environmental Services, 1994-1999, I arranged for an officer of my Department to undertake an inspection. I have recently received a report on the matter, and without prejudice to the legal position outlined above, when I have fully considered that report, I will determine a suitable course of action, including if appropriate the forwarding of all relevant papers.
