COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

MOTION NO. 18

MOTION: Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh

In recognising the persistent and serious health hazards presented to members of the public and residents, as a result of constant illegal dumping activity at the location between Shancastle Park and Drive, the manager must now outline measures to tackle this problem in 2023, including necessary enforcement, routine litter warden inspections, liaising with An Garda Siochana, installing CCTV and working with the EPA to resolve this unacceptable situation.

REPORT:

All reported and detected incidents of littering and illegal dumping at this location are investigated by the Council's Litter Warden Service and all dumped material is searched for evidence. Where evidence is found, the appropriate enforcement action is taken under the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as amended. Increasingly, it is found that no personal information relating to polluters is contained within the dumped material, with personal information having been removed or shredded.

As always, the Council is grateful for assistance and support from local residents or others in their investigations of such incidents as they arise. In the absence of substantive evidence / witness statements and the presence of such witnesses in court, it is not possible for us to bring successful prosecutions.

The Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 was enacted on the 21st of July 2022.  The legislation provides for the use of CCTV and Mobile Recording Devices in the Local Government Sector for preventing, detecting, investigating, or prosecuting offences under the Waste Management Act 1996 and the Litter Pollution Act 1997. With the assistance of the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), Local Authorities are developing working a Code of Practice for CCTV and Mobile Recording Devices. The Codes of Practice will provide guidance on the appropriate and effective use of CCTV and mobile recording devices in litter and waste enforcement.

The Litter Warden will continue to monitor this location in line with routine patrols.