COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 13, 2014

QUESTION NO. 24

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

To ask the CE to detail the plans being made by the Council to protect open spaces throughout the county which will be at risk during the annual Halloween period and if he will also confirm what resources will be available to deal effectively with calls from the public concerned about bonfire material being stored in advance of Halloween night?

REPLY:

Illegal bonfires are an on-going feature of Halloween. Bonfires waste valuable Council resources in the removal and disposal of material. Communities also suffer from the social, economic and environmental cost.

In 2014, the Council will  continue to promote and encourage a 'Safe Halloween'' with the objective of reducing injuries, environmental damage and the cost associated with this time of year.

A similar approach to that undertaken in 2013 (where there was an approximate reduction of 21% in the number of bonfires over 2012) will be undertaken this year. The campaign will focus on reducing the availability of material for bonfires through the targeting of suppliers of material used in bonfires, enforcement of litter legislation by  waste and litter enforcement officers and the bonfire prevention campaigns  such as Bulbs not Bonfires. 

Public Realm staff  will continue to remove bonfire material in Parks and open spaces in the weeks prior to Halloween, priority will be given to the removal of materials in dangerous locations.