COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, January 14, 2008

QUESTION NO. 1

QUESTION: Councillor K. Warren

To ask the Manager what action he can take against waste disposal companies who have of late being circulated to householders and outside shopping centres throughout South Dublin County Council’s Administrative area, large waste disposal bags, and given the clear environmental problem that this is causing for the Council, and the obvious increase in dumping as a result of this initiative, if he has held discussions with the companies concerned, and if he is considering taking legal action to address this issue, and if he will make a statement on the matter?

REPLY:

The Environmental Services Department has taken legal advice in relation to the serious issue arising from the distribution of waste disposal bags free of charge to members of the public and the resulting on occasions of these bags and their contents.  The legal advice received is that the companies issuing these bags have no responsibility in the matter when their disposal bags are used by others to dispose of waste illegally.  It appears that the only course of action open to the Council is to fine or prosecute offenders when a dumping offence is observed or witnessed, as with other incidents of illegal dumping.  Where such incidents are reported the Council will continue to take legal action against offenders.