Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 117: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will increase the penalties for rogue unlicensed refuse collectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4039/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2001, all commercial collectors of waste are obliged to apply to a nominated collection permitting authority in order to collect waste in a given waste management planning region. The regulations also provide that local authorities must require permit holders to ensure that the waste collected is transferred to a waste facility that has been licensed by the Environmental Protection Agency or holds a permit from the relevant local authority. A permitting authority is entitled to refuse to grant a collection permit, or to revoke one that had been granted, in the event that an applicant or permittee is found guilty of any one of a number of specified waste offences.

Under the Protection of the Environment Act 2003, the penalties for breaches of the waste management code have been increased to a fine of up to €3000 and-or a sentence of up to 12 months on summary conviction, with convictions on indictment increased up to €15 million and-or a sentence of up to ten years.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 118: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the feedback he has received from the Environmental Protection Agency concerning its crackdown on illegal dumping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3936/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Since the establishment, within the Environmental Protection Agency, of the office of environmental enforcement in October 2003, there has been regular contact with my Department in the context of the office developing comprehensive new structures to deliver a significantly enhanced waste enforcement service.

A major achievement for the office during 2004 was the consolidation of environmental enforcement activity through the establishment of a national enforcement network. The function of the network is to harness the collective resources, expertise and investigative capacity of those engaged in dealing with environmental crime in Ireland. The network pools and draws on the combined skills of the local authorities, the office itself, the Garda Síochána, the Environment and Heritage Service and police authorities in Northern Ireland and other relevant agencies. My Department is also represented on the network.

The initial focus is in dealing with unauthorised waste activity and, in particular, the issue of illegal cross-Border movement of waste from the Republic into Northern Ireland. The network is bringing a level of consistency and focus to waste enforcement in Ireland that did not exist prior to its establishment and targeted roadblocks and inspections of suspect premises have occurred.

Two dedicated working groups have been set up to work on the issues of unauthorised waste activities and transfrontier shipment of waste and these include representatives of the local authorities, the Northern Ireland authorities and my Department. The unauthorised waste working group's functions include co-ordination of enforcement actions against companies and individuals involved in the illegal movement and disposal of waste in Ireland. Information and recommendations emerging from this process support a systematic plan of action to tackle offenders.

A nationwide concerted action was held on 30 November 2004, which involved members of the Garda Síochána and waste enforcement officers from 15 local authorities, in addition to inspectors from the office and the Northern Ireland Environment and Heritage Service. The office also provided assistance to the Garda Síochána in carrying out an investigation into ten sites in the Republic suspected of being involved in illegally moving waste to Northern Ireland. This action is part of a broader criminal investigation and illustrates that the necessary communication channels, set up in the network, have already borne fruit in the successful completion of a co-ordinated action involving 18 sites in the United Kingdom and ten in Ireland.

The benefits of the network are found in the sharing of information between local authorities, and other relevant parties, on waste facilities suspected of illegal activities. A regional approach is being developed whereby concerted actions are being planned on a regional level.

The office has also commissioned a study, to be completed in mid-2005, on unauthorised waste activities. This will include establishing as completely as possible the extent of unauthorised activities, reviewing current procedures and developing improved guidance for investigation of unauthorised activities.

Significant training is also planned for local authority environmental staff on waste issues. This is designed with the aim of improving the understanding of field staff of waste legislation and providing practical tools to assist in planning, execution and follow up on waste enforcement actions.