Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to increase fines for illegal dumping. [11510/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Enforcement actions against illegal waste activity are a matter for the local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE) within the Environmental Protection Agency. My role as Minister is to ensure that the necessary legislative provisions are in place to enable the relevant authorities to discharge their enforcement functions effectively and that appropriate penalties are available to be applied where transgressions arise.

The 2005 report of the OEE, The Nature and Extent of Unauthorised Waste Activity in Ireland, identified the unauthorised collection and dumping of waste as a problem area which needed to be further tackled. The report drew attention to the measures already being taken, including the appointment of some one hundred and twenty additional enforcement officers funded by my Department across the local authorities.

In 2008, there were 8,151 waste enforcement notices issued and 695 prosecutions initiated. Overall, this represents a very significant quantum of enforcement, consistent with the findings of the OEE's report Focus on Environmental Enforcement in Ireland, covering the period 2006 to 2008, which indicates that the handling of waste-related complaints has significantly improved.

In general, I am satisfied with the adequacy and appropriateness of the available enforcement powers and the maximum penalties of a fine of up to €15 million and/or imprisonment for up to 10 years for waste-related offences. While I have no immediate plans for legislative change in these matters I am keeping the performance in this area under regular review. In that context, I will also be considering any relevant recommendations that may be made in the report of the EPA Review Group which I expect to receive shortly.