Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I will oppose this amendment because it gives criminals a way out, even if that is not the Deputy's intention. We should make it as clear in this Bill as we have in other environmental legislation that people who commit environmental crimes will be brought to court and punished with severe penalties. I am surprised that Deputy Durkan is pressing the amendment and ask him to withdraw it.

I remind the Deputy of the browbeating and bullying required to force local authorities to take action against criminals who were involved in widespread dumping. Many of the investigations into these offences were very difficult and some required officials to take risks. I do not think we should constrain their rights. Once a crime has been committed, we should resource the investigation and the prosecution rather than make it easier for environmental criminals to escape.

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