Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 214: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the increasingly problematic issue of waste and illegal dumping in Dublin and elsewhere, if he will consider strengthening legislation or look at new legislation to ensure proper waste disposal; the number of incidents of illegal waste activity that have been reported to Dublin City Council; and the actions taken on same. [13285/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Enforcement actions against illegal waste activity are matters for the local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE) within the Environmental Protection Agency. My role as Minister is, inter alia, to ensure 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 120 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 significant quantum of enforcement, consistent with the findings of an OEE 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. Specific information on the number of complaints regarding illegal dumping received by Dublin City Council and the actions taken in response may be obtained from the Council.

I am generally satisfied with the adequacy and appropriateness of the available enforcement powers and the maximum penalty of a fine of up to €15 million and/or imprisonment for up to ten years for waste-related offences. While I have no immediate plans for legislative change in these matters, I am keeping performance in this area under regular review. In that context, I will also be considering all relevant recommendations in the report of the EPA Review Group which I have recently published and which is available on my Department's website, www.environ.ie.