Roche orders crackdown on illegal dump operators

Minister for the Environment Dick Roche has ordered a crackdown on illegal dumping throughout the country and the people responsible for the practice.

Mr Roche said today that he was ordering local authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure that all illegal dumps are identified and cleaned up.

He said he also wanted the authorities to pursue all illegal dump operators “looking to the maximum potential sanctions available under the law”.

Mr Roche said his move was a response to the lack of action taken to date against illegal dumps and the people who establish them.

“I am simply not prepared to tolerate the way illegal operators have been allowed to get away with their crimes,” he said.

“I am calling for a series of robust actions to deal with the illegal operators and to get the message across that people should not get away with illegal dumping and there should be no profit in illegal activities.”