David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 148 of 12 December 2006, if the National Litter Pollution Monitoring System has been implemented in all local authorities; the details of same; the initiatives in place with each local authority to specifically combat the illegal dumping of household waste throughout the countryside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22877/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Litter Monitoring Body's 2006 National Litter Pollution Monitoring System Results report, released in June 2007, is based on an analysis of data received from 72 local authorities, or almost 80% of all local authorities. The number of local authorities operating the system has increased significantly in the last three years and steps continue to be taken by the consultants who manage the system with a view to achieving full implementation at the earliest possible date. Results were submitted by 66 local authorities in 2005, 61 in 2004 and 34 in 2003. Further details regarding the implementation of the National Litter Pollution Monitoring System can be found on the website www.litter.ie.

Actions against illegal waste activity are a matter for the local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement and my Department does not compile information on the level of such activity or any particular initiatives. I am satisfied that appropriate powers are available to these enforcement authorities.

The 2005 report of the Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE), The Nature and Extent of Unauthorised Waste Activity in Ireland, identified the unauthorised collection and fly-tipping of waste as one of the problem areas in regard to waste management which needed to be further tackled. The report drew attention to the measures already being taken, including the appointment of over one hundred additional enforcement officers across the local authorities funded by my Department, and the stepped up enforcement activity generally being led by the OEE and the local authorities. The OEE, through its Environmental Enforcement Network, monitors on a continual basis the enforcement activities in this area to ensure that the momentum to tackle illegal waste activity is maintained.