New penalties for people caught illegally dumping

PEOPLE who dump waste illegally are to face extra penalties for having their rubbish cleaned up.

Environment Minister Dick Roche has signed into law new regulations which will impose an additional levy on people who have been caught dumping waste illegally.

Under existing legislation, legitimate waste disposal operators have to pay an environmental levy of 15 per tonne for using official landfill sites.

However, the new Waste Management Regulations 2006 will impose the higher fee of 20 per tonne for people who have been caught dumping illegal waste to use the service.

Revenue from the new levy will go to an environment fund which channels money to local authorities for providing recycling facilities and combating illegal waste activity.

The new levy will apply to people like controversial businessman Louis Moriarty, whose photograph with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in Sneem, Co Kerry, last week was the subject of media attention.

Mr Moriarty, who used to own a Dublin waste disposal company has been ordered by the High Court to clean up 8,000 tonnes of waste from an illegal dump at Coolnamadra in Co Wicklow.

Mr Roche said yesterday: “The timing of the new levy regulations coupled with the recent launch by the Office of Environmental Enforcement of their illegal dumping line means that we can hit these operators with even greater effect.”

He pointed out that the new 20 per tonne levy was the maximum sum he could impose at present.

The minister also encouraged members of the public to report any suspected incidents of illegal waste dumping.

Under existing legislation, anyone guilty of illegally dumping waste can face a maximum fine of 15 million and a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years.