FROM next Monday, polluters could face a fine of up to £10 million and 10 years imprisonment under the new Waste Management Act.
The Minister for the Environment, Mr Howlin, made an order yesterday bringing the main Provisions of the Act into operation from July 1st, saying he intended to "use this legislation to the fullest extent possible to promote more effective management of our waste".
The announcement follows one of the largest fish kills in south Dublin over the weekend. Thousands of eels, trout and minnow were killed in a stretch of the Dodder from Rathfarnham to Clonskeagh. The incident will be investigated by the Eastern Fisheries Board and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council.
Under the Water Pollution and Fisheries Acts, the maximum fine on conviction is £25,000 and five years imprisonment. The new act allows for a fine of £1,500 on conviction for a minor offence and £10 million and/or 10 years imprisonment for conviction on indictment.
The provisions also give local authorities new powers to monitor and inspect waste activities. They will also be required to "adopt modern and systematic local waste management plans".
The order could also see bin collections regulated to prevent untidy piles of litter outside homes and businesses, with local authorities "authorised to make bye laws controlling the presentation of waste for collection". The Act will enable authorities to seize vehicles and equipment used for committing an offence.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be mandated to prepare a national plan on hazardous waste. A system of EPA licensing for major waste management facilities is a central feature of the Act, Mr Howlin said.
"I will be giving high priority to the introduction of these arrangements and to having a first round of licensing underway by autumn. Licensing requirements will then be progressively extended to all significant waste disposal and recovery facilities.
