COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 11, 2024

QUESTION NO.35

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

To ask the Chief Executive, that as GDPR regulations allow release of information relating to companies within South Dublin, can SDCC issue a report listing businesses and companies fined for litter and dumping for 2023. Report to include details of regularity of fines and notices.

REPLY:

South Dublin County Council issued a total of 363 fines in 2023 for littering and dumping offences under Sections 3, 4 and 6 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, of which 37 were issued to commercial entities.

Fines issued under the Act are issued to alleged offenders and payment of same is an alternative to engaging in legal action. It is our opinion, that any further circulation of this information or any records provided should clearly indicate that fines are issued to and paid by alleged offenders. These files are currently under review to ensure any release of data is in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2014.

In accordance with Section 30 and Section 32 of the  Freedom of Information Act,  information relating to ongoing processes shall not be provided as it may prejudice ongoing investigations and or prejudice or impair the prevention, detection or investigation of offences, the apprehension or prosecution of offenders or the effectiveness of lawful methods, systems, plans or procedures employed for the purposes of the matters aforesaid, and/or the enforcement of, compliance with or administration of any law.

This matter will be referred to the Environment SPC for further examination.