Significant progress has been made in tackling large-scale illegal dumping during the past 10 years. From a position where Wicklow, in particular, and counties adjoining major cities were being pockmarked by environmentally dangerous landfill sites between 1997 and 2002, the practice has now ceased.
The illegal cross-Border movement of waste has been considerably reduced. That, unfortunately, does not mean society has become law abiding. In spite of encouraging advances, major problems persist with regard to the illegal dumping of construction and demolition materials and the disposal and burning of domestic waste.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report, covering the period from the introduction of the Waste Management Act in 1996, charts a steady improvement in compliance with EU waste directives. The establishment of an Office of Environment Enforcement in 2004 and the employment of hundreds of waste enforcement staff by local authorities represented a major step forward. In spite of that, the agency recorded 25 unauthorised landfill sites and 15 illegal waste handling facilities in the State last year.
As Minister for the Environment and Local Government Dick Roche observed: that situation is unacceptable. And he urged local authorities, in particular, to ensure their waste handling and disposal sites were fully compliant with the law. The greatest level of illegal activity now takes place in connection with the disposal of construction and demolition waste. In a hugely lucrative industry, that should not happen. And the Minister has recognised that urgent action is required.
Mr Roche was less forceful on other issues, especially where remedial action is likely to cost the Government a considerable amount of money. There can be no denying that the introduction of domestic waste charges and the privatisation of collection services in recent years has created problems. The EPA estimates that, at present, one-in-five of all households does not avail of collection services. This means that nearly 300,000 tonnes of domestic waste are being disposed of illegally, through small-scale dumping, "fly-tipping" through illegal van collectors or backyard burning. Half of all local authorities reported that illegal waste collection services are a significant problem. And some 80 per cent were seriously concerned about air pollution caused by urban burning.
Since the introduction of separate lifting and weight charges and its impact on waiver schemes for persons on low incomes, there has been a dramatic increase in illegal dumping. The emergence of small-scale refuse collectors, using illegal disposal methods, has been noted in Dublin, Galway and Limerick. But the dangers posed to public health by illegal backyard burning and the release of dioxins into the atmosphere is, perhaps, of greatest concern. A new waiver scheme, more determined policing and an effective public advertising campaign will be required to rectify the situation.