David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the policy initiatives he has in place or is planning to deal with fly-tipping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24927/09]

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. I am satisfied that appropriate powers and resources are available to these enforcement authorities.

The 2005 report of the Office of Environmental Enforcement, 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 Office and the local authorities. The report also identified additional actions which would further bolster the effort to stamp out this socially and environmentally unacceptable practice.

My Department continues to liaise with the Office of Environmental Enforcement and other enforcement authorities in ensuring that the momentum to tackle such activities is maintained. Following the issuing, in July of 2008, of a Ministerial policy direction under section 60 of the Waste Management Act all local authorities now have enforcement policies in place and actions to deal with this type of illegal activity are included in these plans for 2009.