Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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278. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the Curragh forum has made any progress in fighting illegal dumping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6404/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Curragh is approximately 4,870 acres in area and extends for some 10km in a North-West/South-East direction and is 5km across at its widest and is one of the most open and accessible areas in the country. Because of this accessibility illegal dumping is an ongoing problem. The response to illegal dumping is managed by the Department land staff in cooperation with the County Kildare Litter Warden. The Department also has in place an environmental maintenance contract for the Curragh Plains which provides a removal/cleanup service where dumping has occurred. At the last meeting of the Curragh Forum several actions were agreed by the members of the Forum to assist in addressing a number of the problems in the Curragh , including illegal dumping. In line with agreed actions, a review of the Curragh Bye-Laws and the Curragh of Kildare Act is progressing with a view to identifying what changes can be made to current legislation in order to better deal with dumping and the other issues identified by the Forum.