Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012
1143. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the financial cost to each local authority in 2010 and 2011 of cleaning up residue from illegal laundering and smuggling of fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39351/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of the Revenue Commissioners has responsibility for the detection and investigation of illegal diesel laundries. It is clear from recent seizures that this illegal activity has grown significantly in recent years. A by-product from these illegal laundries is a hazardous waste sludge which tends to be abandoned or dumped by the side of the road. Local authorities have responsibility for the management and safe disposal of this abandoned residue and, until recently, this has been happening primarily in the border counties of Louth and Monaghan but is now occurring also in other areas.
While my Department does not collate information on the costs incurred by local authorities in dealing with waste arising from illegal oil laundering activities, in recognition of the costs involved in cases brought to my Department's attention, 100% grant assistance to date has been given for all costs claimed by the relevant local authorities. In 2010, €303,894.82 in grant assistance was paid and in 2011, €1,028,902.84 was recouped to the affected local authorities.
