Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy has once again highlighted the significant issues in relation to how waste is handled in this country. In advance of tonight’s RTÉ investigates programme on the waste industry and illegal dumping in Ireland, Catherine Murphy said this issue has been brewing for some years now and with mooted changes to waste charges the problem is likely to worsen.
Deputy Murphy has raised this issue both in Parliamentary Questions and in the Public Accounts Committee over the past few months and has called for the establishment of an office of a Waste Regulator because according to Deputy Murphy the entire sector is extremely weak when it comes to regulation.
Deputy Murphy said:
“I have no doubt that tonight’s programme will highlight the rogue actions of a number of waste companies and once again highlight the need for strong and robust regulation of the sector which has consistently been weak. Waste companies in Ireland have been essentially allowed to operate to their own agenda for far too long and in a sector that is poorly regulated, you will unfortunately get rogue companies exploiting that lack of regulation.
“The problem of illegal dumping is only going to continue to grow as we currently only have 5 landfill sites nationwide – 4 of which are in Leinster- and that number is set to reduce in future years. Currently the only other option is the Dublin incinerator and over-reliance on this facility brings with it significant congestion issues and an over-reliance on the already congested Dublin road network.
“The Social Democrats have called for a Waste Regulator. Currently the whole area is extremely weak on regulations and there is very little onus on waste companies. Waste companies are free to take decisions without any regulatory body assessing that decision and its impacts in the wider policy context.”
ENDS
18th June 2018