Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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31. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the action he will take following a report (details supplied) that cancer causing toxins from illegal fuel laundering plants are being dumped into the Fane river, Dundalk, County Louth, and also into Lough Muckno and Lough Ross; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8869/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Enforcement in relation to illegal diesel laundering activities is primarily a matter for the Revenue Commissioners from the point of view of avoiding loss of revenue to the Exchequer. My Department assists local authorities in carrying out their role as competent authorities under waste legislation, which involves taking the necessary measures, on behalf of the State, to ensure that any waste generated and left abandoned by diesel launderers is disposed of without endangering human health and without harming the environment, in particular without risk to water. The responsibility for the investigation of catchment-based water quality issues in this area lies with the local authorities and the responsibility for ensuring safe drinking water lies with Irish Water: both are supervised in these roles by the EPA. On noting the recent reports related to the River Fane, the EPA requested information from the local authorities involved, Louth and Monaghan County Councils. Both authorities have conducted inquiries into this matter with some operational support provided by the EPA.

The EPA also immediately initiated communication with Irish Water in relation to this matter. Irish Water has informed the EPA that they have carried out monitoring and it has not found PAHs in the River Fane abstraction point for the Dundalk supply. In addition, the EPA conducted an audit of the Dundalk drinking water plant on 5 February. The initial findings were discussed with Irish Water on that day, and I understand that a report will be issued shortly. The EPA is also in contact with cross-border authorities in relation to this matter and will remain in communication with the relevant authorities until it is brought to a satisfactory close.

With respect to the reported fuel laundering waste dumping incident at Lough Ross in County Monaghan, the Water Section of Monaghan County Council are reviewing analysis of results taken on the day. However, the ditch in question was stagnant (no flow) at the time and the spill was swiftly removed by Monaghan County Council Fire Brigade and by contractors acting on behalf of the Council.

More generally in relation to illegal fuel laundering, a complete solution to this problem must involve effective and co-ordinated enforcement of the law from both a revenue and waste management perspective. There is strong and active co-operation on this and other waste management issues between the relevant enforcement authorities on both sides of the Border. However, I have written to my counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive, Minister Mark Durkan, to highlight again the problems being faced by border counties exposed to the consequences of environmental crime and will also raise the issue politically at the next meeting of the North South Ministerial Council.