State may face huge fines over waste ‘breaches’

LARGE daily fines could be imposed on the State over its alleged failure to comply with EU directives on waste disposal, including illegal dumping.

The European Court of Justice will give its preliminary ruling on a case brought against Ireland by the European Commission next Thursday.

The commission first brought infringement proceedings against the State in December 2001 for failing to take all measures necessary to ensure the implementation of EU directives on waste management. It followed a series of complaints made to Brussels between 1997 and 2000 about alleged, unauthorised waste operations facilities at various locations around the country.