Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

On many occasions we have heard the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government indicate that he will take on illegal dumping and he needs the help and co-operation of the local authorities to do so. However, east Galway has again become the dumping ground for waste from outside local authorities. Sludge from sewage plants in Mayo, Offaly and north Tipperary is being dumped in Eyrecourt, in east Galway. The contractors who are supposedly licensed to dispose of the waste are not being monitored by the local authorities with regard to the final destination of that waste. It should have been dumped in Kilkenny, I believe, but was dumped en route, in Eyrecourt.

I ask the Leader to bring this to the notice of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, especially as most local authorities in the country are currently updating their waste management and regional management plans. This total disregard for public and animal health, as well as the environment, is taking place under the noses of those on local authorities. Meanwhile, the farming community is being badgered by inspections by the Departments of Agriculture and Food and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government at local level to ensure the proper disposal of on-farm waste. No group is more conscious of the environment than farmers because they have traditionally maintained a healthy environment. Now the local authorities are contracting waste disposal operators who dump sludge, willy-nilly, anywhere they can. Again, I ask the Leader to ask the Minister to take immediate action and to put all local authorities on notice that this practice cannot continue.