Government to crack down on illegal dumping

THE Government is to crack down on illegal dumping on both sides of the Border.

Environment Minister Martin Cullen said there is evidence that those with criminal and paramilitary backgrounds are cashing in on the lucrative business.

A report published by the Environment Protection Agency found that an illegal dump is discovered in the North each week.

Mr Cullen is to meet with his Northern counterpart Angela Smyth, senior members of the Gardaí and the PSNI, along with members of the EPA and the North's Environment Heritage Service to discuss measures to tackle the problem. The dumps are being driven by a lack of landfill sites, high charges and a crackdown here that has seen a number of prosecutions. There's an estimated landfill shortfall of between 400,000 to 500,000 tonnes in the greater Dublin area alone.

It's a highly lucrative business it costs €150 a ton at legal dumps while illegal carriers can charge half and earn €5,000 a run. Authorities in the North have already moved against illegal dumpers but with limited success. Carriers from across the Border have in the past ignored summonses if caught. Legislation allowing for the immediate arrest of carriers and the seizing of lorries is planned.

Environmental officers in the North, accompanied by members of the PSNI, have increased checkpoints and this is likely to be replicated over the Border.