Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the total cost to local authorities from 2008 to 2012 on a yearly basis arising from clean up operations due to illegal smuggling and illegal trading in diesel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15888/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Enforcement in relation to illegal diesel laundering activities is primarily a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. The information sought in the Question is not held by my Department. However, between 2008 and 2012 my Department has provided funding of €4,074,258 on an exceptional basis in recognition of the particular difficulties which arose for the local authorities concerned in responding to instances of illegal dumping of oil-laundering residues, particularly in relation to costs incurred by them in arranging for the safe disposal abroad of the hazardous materials involved. Both Louth and Monaghan County Councils have received the most significant levels of support with €3,400,931 being reimbursed to Louth and €620,599 to Monaghan during the years in question. In addition smaller amounts have been reimbursed to both Cavan and Offaly County Councils.

I believe that a complete solution to this problem is difficult to arrive at and must necessarily involve more effective and co-ordinated enforcement of the law from both a revenue and waste management perspective. In that context, my Department continues to liaise with representatives of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the local authorities concerned and the Office of Environmental Enforcement to seek to identify more effective enforcement solutions, and these contacts will continue.

I am also aware of enhanced co-operation on this and other waste management issues between the relevant enforcement authorities on both sides of the Border, involving An Garda Síochána, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and other enforcement agencies.