Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1222. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the deterrents in place to prevent illegal dumping in Coillte forests and lakes in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1594/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Bye–laws were introduced under Section 37 of the Forestry Act 1988, at the request of Coillte, to regulate illegal or unauthorised activities by members of the public on its property. Illegal dumping is one of the unauthorised activities encompassed by those Bye-Laws.

The matter was also raised with Coillte who advise that, due to the vast and isolated nature of the Coillte estate, illegal dumping is a significant issue for the company. Illegal dumping poses a serious risk to the natural environment, as it can pollute rivers, drinking water sources, damage biodiversity, and is a threat to the health and safety of both recreational users and the people who live nearby.

The company advise that it is committed to ensuring that visitors can enjoy visiting its forest parks and trails without the sight of illegally-dumped rubbish and has spent approximately €2 million since 2013 in clean-up operations alone. Coillte further advise that each of Coillte’s six Business Area Units has its own dedicated Estates team responsible for the management of important estate issues like dumping with those teams supported by a large number of caretakers spread across the country.

To specifically deter illegal dumping, Coillte advise that it installs signs, barriers and CCTV at illegal dumping hotspots and is also currently trialling a ‘confidential line’ which will be displayed on the company website and signage and that the information gathered will be filtered back to the relevant Coillte staff to look into. Coillte adds that it actively investigate all reports of dumping and where evidence is found of those responsible, it is passed on to local authority litter wardens who are responsible for issuing fines and pursuing prosecutions. Coillte advise that it has good working relations with all local authorities to manage and remove dumped material.

Coillte also advise that, to strengthen these measures, there is also the legal deterrent as Coillte may also apply bye-laws to specific sites. These bye-laws, which I mentioned, prohibit littering, dumping and other antisocial activities. I would remind the Deputy that any person who commits an offence under these bye-laws is liable to a fine and/or imprisonment and these bye-laws may be enforced by a member of the Garda Síochána.