John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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118. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment for an update on progress in dealing with the illegal landfill site at Whitestown in Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27644/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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In accordance with the Waste Management Act, the management of waste including the remediation of legacy landfill sites, such as Whitestown, is the legal responsibility of the respective local authorities. Local Authorities must comply with the remediation requirements in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) waste licence regime. The Government established a landfill remediation funding programme with the express purposes of assisting local authorities in recognition of the significant financial burden placed on them to meet the aforementioned obligation. The statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority in remediating these sites is reflected and reinforced in the first National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy 2024 published on the 1st March 2024.

The remediation of the Whitestown site is subject to ongoing legal proceedings in the High Court and Wicklow County Council is acting in accordance with High Court judgements to remediate the site. Wicklow County Council has advised, as per the High Court Order, that the Council and their environmental consultants are working towards the remediation of the Whitestown site. It is expected that the remediation will be complete by the end of 2027 with further monitoring of the site required following the remediation.