COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

MOTION NO. 10

MOTION: Councillor P. Gogarty

That this Area Committee request the Chief Executive reports comprehensively on the scandalous situation whereby multiple perpetrators have been able to continue burning domestic and commercial waste and wire for scrap metal at multiple locations in Lucan including at the 12th Lock and off the Adamstown link road, apparently with impunity, over a period of weeks; and furthermore to clarify whether the delay in acting on this issue which has been a huge concern (especially to parents) is down to a lack of action on one or more agencies included in the "multi-agency approach" referred to by the Council in response to my queries, due to a lack of resources, or down to a loophole in the law which needs to be changed.

 REPORT:

The Council is very committed to achieving a resolution to the difficulties which have presented in the relatively recent past regarding multiple burning incidents in the Lucan area.

Initially, most of the complaints that were received had referred to “burning smells” in the Lucan area and from contacts made with complainants the precise location(s) of the burning was not known to them. However, through investigation, including the use of a drone, the exact locations were identified.

As appropriate, action has been taken under the provisions of Section 14 of the Waste Management Act 1996 -2013 on a landowner in respect of lands at 12th Lock. Activity has scaled down significantly at that site following extensive deliberations with this landowner and their legal representatives. It is envisaged that the issue at this location will be resolved in the coming days.

The Council is currently preparing for further action as appropriate in accordance with the Waste Management and Housing Acts in relation to the significant number of recent incidents on lands behind Tullyhall. There are complexities in relation to this very problematic site which are currently being examined.  These complexities include de facto evidence of person(s) carrying out the burning and an individual sensitive residential issue requiring a bespoke response.