Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:41 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to clamp down on environmental crimes such as illegal dumping. [6922/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 6 April 2011
Ceisteanna (44)
Freagraí scríofa
Enforcement of waste legislation, including action against illegal activity, is a matter for the local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE) within the Environmental Protection Agency.
I am providing over €7m in grant assistance from the Environment Fund to local authorities this year to support continuing waste enforcement. Some 120 local authority waste enforcement staff are funded under this grant scheme. In July 2008 following the issue of a policy direction under section 60 of the Waste Management Act 1996 to local authorities and the EPA, each local authority and the EPA has prepared and published an Enforcement Policy in respect of Unauthorised Waste Activities. The funding allocated will enable local authorities to implement their plans and carry out a detailed programme of enforcement during 2011.
The OEE and the local authorities are, at my Department's request, prioritising enforcement activities in relation to aspects requiring attention under European Court of Justice case C494/01 such as unauthorised end of life vehicle sites. The Environmental Enforcement Network run by the OEE is overseeing the development and implementation of local authority inspection plans. I will be keeping progress in this area under review on an ongoing basis.