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Waste Enforcement

Local Authorities

In the first instance, it is a matter for the each individual local authority, to deal with any instances of illegal disposal of waste in their area and take the appropriate enforcement action.  Local authorities have significant powers available to them under the Waste Management Act 1996, as amended, to enable them to tackle illegal waste activity.  Therefore cases of illegal dumping should be reported directly to each relevant local authority.  Contact details for local authorities can be found in local telephone directories.

Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE)

The Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE), which was established in 2003 under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), also has a mandate to deliver enhanced environmental compliance through enforcement of EPA licences issued to waste, industrial and other activities.  It exercises a supervisory role in respect of the environmental protection activities of local authorities.  In this regard, the OEE acts as a resource to members of the public who have exhausted all other avenues of complaint.  Further information and contact details on the OEE can be found on

http://www.epa.ie/OfficeofEnvironmentalEnforcement/

The OEE published a Report in 2005 on The Nature and Extent of Unauthorised Waste Activity in Ireland. This publication can be accessed on www.epa.ie/publications/waste
 

Section 60 Policy Directions


  • July 2008 Policy Direction

    In July 2008 a Policy Direction issued under Section 60 of the Waste Management Acts 1996-2008 regarding Action against illegal waste activity– the use of sanctions. Under this Policy Direction the EPA and Local Authorities are directed to prepare an Enforcement Policy in respect of Unauthorised Waste Activities which will encourage and promote systematic and consistent enforcement actions against illegal waste operators across the state as a whole and which will deliver effective, proportionate and dissuasive actions against such operators for the purposes of and to effect full compliance with Directive 2006/12/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste (“ the Waste Framework Directive”)
     

  • May 2005 Policy Direction

    In May 2005 a Policy Direction issued under Section 60 of the Waste Management Acts 1996 – 2005 regarding:-

    • Action against illegal waste activity

      The purpose of this Policy Direction is to encourage an intensification of action against illegal waste activity, enhance the response of local authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in ensuring the protection of the environment and human health and the prosecution of offenders.  In determining the nature of such prosecutions the Policy Direction stated that regard should be had to the elimination of the economic benefit deriving from the illegal activity             and

    • Movement of waste

      The Policy Direction confirms that one of the fundamental components of policy in regard to the regulation of the movement of waste is the application of the proximity principle.  However, it stated that, the application of the proximity principle does not entail interpreting administrative waste management planning boundaries in such a manner as to inhibit the development of waste infrastructure which will support the attainment of national waste management policy objectives through the rational development and use of such infrastructure.

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