Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 203: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures he proposes to deter illegal dumping or fly tipping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8414/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Actions against illegal waste activity are a matter for the local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE). I am satisfied that appropriate powers are available to these enforcement authorities. The 2005 report of the OEE, The Nature and Extent of Unauthorised Waste Activity in Ireland, identifies the unauthorised collection and fly-tipping of waste as one of the problem areas in regard to waste management which needs to be further tackled. The report draws 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 Office and the local authorities. The report also identifies additional actions which would further support the effort to stamp out this socially and environmentally unacceptable practice. The implementation of these actions is being coordinated by the OEE through its National Enforcement Network.