COMHAIRLE CHONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE 1

Monday, October 16, 2006

MOTION 1

MOTION: Cllr. Marie Corr

"That this committee proposes a "High Alert Operation" for areas of Tallaght that have been hardest hit in the past by Bonfires and illegal activity in anticipation of further similar incidences - and that the Manager consider allocating the additional resources necessary to facilitate this operation".

REPORT

Parks Strategic Policy Committee on 13th September 2006.   An interdepartmental committee of the Council led by the Community Department, and involving the Gardai and the Fire Brigade, has examined the issue of Halloween bonfires and certain measures are proposed to assist in reducing the number of bonfires this coming season.  An analysis of previous years indicates that approximately 500 bonfires occur throughout the County despite the efforts of the Parks Department staff in collecting material from sites for several weeks before Halloween.  With the increased control of dumping and since the introduction of charges for waste management, bonfires present opportunities for people to conveniently dispose of material free of charge.  The annual cost of cleaning up by the Parks Department after bonfires in terms of labour and plant is of the order of €125,000 and in addition there are costs incurred by the Gardai, emergency services, and the Environmental Services Department.  Bonfires also contribute to atmospheric pollution and damage to open spaces.  In addition, injuries sometimes occur to people during bonfires and in the period following, while the Council are cleaning up the sites and reinstating the surfaces.

 The short term aim of the Council should be to discourage the number of bonfires with an objective to phase out such activities in the long term.  To this end the approach taken by the Committee has two elements.  The first is a pilot scheme designed to focus community efforts on reducing the number of bonfires on an open space in favour of one larger bonfire that would be supervised and managed to ensure that unsuitable material is excluded and that health and safety measures are in place to ensure public safety.  The second element entails a combined effort of Council staff with the cooperation of the Gardai and the Fire Brigade to remove bonfire material and to put out the fires as quickly as possible.

Organised Bonfires

 Discussions have taken place (led by the Community and Parks Department) with communities in Fettercairn and North Clondalkin (Neilstown, Oatfield, and Wheatfield) and to date there has been a positive response.  With the combined support of community leaders and Council staff, it is proposed to arrange “official” bonfires which will be formed with material supplied by the locals under supervision.  The proposed bonfires will be enclosed within barriers located near fire hydrants with permission to connect to them if required.  A safety plan will be prepared and stewards will be identified with high visibility jackets.  The period of the bonfire will be agreed with the local community and as an added attraction soft drinks, sweets and crisps for children and prizes for best dressed costume will be arranged.

Control Measures

Council staff  have issued a letter outlining the responsibilities of development companies and staff on construction sites with regard to the disposal of material particularly at Halloween. 

For schools, a leaflet and poster on the impact of bonfires will be prepared and circulated with a presentation.  The Environmental Services Department will issue a letter to tyre companies and garages to advise them of their responsibilities regarding the correct disposal of pallets and tyres from their sites  thereby ensuring that they are not available for use in bonfires.

Following discussions with the Environment Strategic Policy Committee, it was agreed to schedule junk collections earlier in the year before Halloween with effect from 2006, to ensure that people do not leave out material for the collection that is subsequently used in a bonfire.

Parks Department staff will be assisted by staff in the Cleansing Section to remove bonfire material as efficiently as possible before and after Halloween.  Litter Wardens will target people carrying bonfire material and will issue fixed payment notices (on-the-spot fines) if possible.