Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

First, I congratulate the Leas-Cheann Comhairle on his appointment and thank the Members opposite for their good wishes to me and the hardworking Ministers of State beside me, especially the Minister of State, Deputy Penrose.

Enforcement actions against illegal waste activity are a matter for the local authorities and the office of environmental enforcement, OEE, within the Environmental Protection Agency. I am satisfied that appropriate powers and resources are available to these enforcement authorities to investigate and to follow up the issue of illegal dumping in the given location with appropriate enforcement action.

In terms of the accommodation issues raised, from inquiries made to the relevant local authorities, I understand that persons living in the area in question are largely members of the Traveller community. In accordance with the provisions of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller accommodation programmes, designed to meet the accommodation needs of Travellers, rests with individual housing authorities.

My Department's role is to ensure there is an adequate legislative and financial system in place to assist the authorities in providing the accommodation.

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government recently issued approval in principle to Fingal County Council for the development of a Traveller group housing scheme, which is intended to provide accommodation for some of the families living in the area in question. The Department is also providing capital funding for the refurbishment of an existing halting site in the area. I also understand that sanitation facilities have been provided at authorised local authority sites, but that there are a number of illegal occupants in the area who may not have access to such facilities.

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