The problem with local authority enforcement is that it doesn't happen. The issue of people dumping in small rural communities is a) that they dump on their own land and then it's really difficult to get access to the land to prove that dumping's taken place (or else you jeapordise your own ability to walk in the local area if you become known as a 'nuisance' who reports) and b) dumping on public areas like beaches, it's still really hard for local people to report because it's still blindingly obvious that you reported and you have to live in the area. I know this sounds weak but believe me, I stood up to planning corruption in 2000 and got shafted by everyone in the area - and I'm not local. In 2002 I stood up to animal cruelty in the area and got doubly shafted. Standing up to Shell in the area has earned me null points on local community perception - and I've never been engaged in violence. I have to earn a living here, and my work (as a yoga teacher and social care worker) is utterly dependent on reputation. And my situation cannot be unique. The point is, not enough thought has gone into the planning and policy implementation of waste management and particularly dumping management strategy. This is a huge issue and needs proper thought, which is not happening. Please go back to the drawing board, or the meeting rooms, and think about what works, in small communities. Educate, educate, educate - and reward good behaviour. Punishment doesn't work and since there's no enforcement, and the culture of say one thing, do another, is still ingrained at every level of Irish life, another approach has to be found. Thanks. And good luck.
Lucy Bingham McAndrew
Posted on 8 Apr 2011 10:48 am
The problem with local authority enforcement is that it doesn't happen. The issue of people dumping in small rural communities is a) that they dump on their own land and then it's really difficult to get access to the land to prove that dumping's taken place (or else you jeapordise your own ability to walk in the local area if you become known as a 'nuisance' who reports) and b) dumping on public areas like beaches, it's still really hard for local people to report because it's still blindingly obvious that you reported and you have to live in the area. I know this sounds weak but believe me, I stood up to planning corruption in 2000 and got shafted by everyone in the area - and I'm not local. In 2002 I stood up to animal cruelty in the area and got doubly shafted. Standing up to Shell in the area has earned me null points on local community perception - and I've never been engaged in violence. I have to earn a living here, and my work (as a yoga teacher and social care worker) is utterly dependent on reputation. And my situation cannot be unique. The point is, not enough thought has gone into the planning and policy implementation of waste management and particularly dumping management strategy. This is a huge issue and needs proper thought, which is not happening. Please go back to the drawing board, or the meeting rooms, and think about what works, in small communities. Educate, educate, educate - and reward good behaviour. Punishment doesn't work and since there's no enforcement, and the culture of say one thing, do another, is still ingrained at every level of Irish life, another approach has to be found. Thanks. And good luck.