Written answers
Tuesday, 22 November 2016
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Illegal Dumping
John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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518. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department investigated any cases of illegal dumping of industrial waste on bogland owned by Bord Na Móna in County Kerry over the period 2010 to 2016; the steps which were taken in such cases; the discussions his Department had with Kerry County Council and the EPA in this regard; the actions taken to prevent such future activity and to provide for penalties to be given to persons involved in such illegal dumping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36102/16]
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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My role, as Minister, is to provide the legislative and policy framework under which both local authority and EPA enforcement action against illegal dumping is initiated. Enforcement action against illegal waste activity is a matter for the local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE) of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As Minister, I am specifically precluded under section 60 (3) of the Waste Management Act 1996, from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by the Agency or a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it. Penalties for serious dumping offences provided for under the Waste Management Acts are substantial. Persons who are found to be responsible for, or involved in, the unauthorised disposal of waste are liable to a maximum fine of €3,000 on summary conviction and/or imprisonment for up to 12 months, and to a maximum fine of €15 million on conviction on indictment and-or imprisonment for up to 10 years.
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