Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 548: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has had discussions with the Northern Authorities or the British Government regarding the dumping of diesel sludge in Border counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5169/10]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 570: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has sought contributions from authorities in Northern Ireland towards the cost of disposal of diesel sludge and clean up of the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4910/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 548 and 570 together.

In the context of developing a framework agreement with Northern Ireland authorities on the repatriation of waste illegally deposited there which originated in Ireland, the costs for Ireland resulting from the deposition of hazardous chemical sludges from both the historic and continuing illegal activity associated with oil laundering between the jurisdictions has been raised. Both the Northern Ireland authorities and the Irish authorities have agreed to give separate consideration to how this matter might be better addressed on a co-operative basis, including the matter of liability for historical disposal costs. Further discussions on this issue will be held in 2010.