COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, January 12, 2026

QUESTION NO. 17

QUESTION: Councillor E. Ó Broin

To ask the Chief Executive for an update on his applications to the Environmental Protection Agency for certificates of authorisation for both the Friarstown and the Waterstown landfills?

REPLY:

The Waste Management (Certification of Historic Unlicensed Waste Disposal and Recovery Activity) Regulations, 2008, addresses the processing of closed landfill certification. Closed Landfill Certification relates to landfill site operated by a local authority for the recovery or disposal of waste without a waste licence on any date between 15th July 1977 and 27th March 1997. SDCC has two historic landfill sites under this classification.    

Site Name

Reference Number

Risk Rating

Location 

Friarstown

S22-02166

High

Friarstown, Tallaght

Waterstown

S22-02167

High

Waterstown, Palmerstown

The National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy 2024-2030, in particular Appendix 8, provides a standardised approach for local authorities to address the issues associated with historic landfill sites. The plan takes into consideration the Waste Management (Certification of Historic Unlicensed Recovery and Disposal Activity) Regulations 2008, where a local authority must undertake an environmental risk assessment (ERA) of their Closed Landfills (in accordance with the EPA Code of Practice), identify any required remediation works and subsequently apply to the EPA for a Certificate of Authorisation (CoA). SDCC is committed to the plan and in doing so are working closely with our colleagues in the Eastern-Midland Regional Waste Management Planning Office. 

A certificate of authorisation has been issued by the EPA for Waterstown (H0424-01).  In relation to Friarstown, environmental risk assessments in accordance with the EPA code of practice have been undertaken and an application for a certificate of authorisation is currently being finalised for submission to the EPA for their consideration.