Govt to force landowners to clean up illegal dumps

Minister for the Environment Dick Roche is reportedly set to announce strict new regulations forcing people to clean up illegal dumps on their land.

Reports this morning said the regulations would require landowners to remove all but inert material from such dumps, treat any contaminated soil and ensure that the waste is disposed of correctly.

The move will reportedly cost landowners a multiple of the amount they would have been paid for allowing waste to be illegally dumped on their property in the first place.

This morning’s reports said Mr Roche was introducing the regulations due to disappointment with the failure of the courts to impose high penalties on the operators of illegal dumps.