Longford Senator calls for fines to tackle fly-tipping

A Longford Oireachtas member has suggested imposing hefty fines up to €10,000 to finally stamp out fly-tipping in local bogs and amenity areas.

Fine Gael Senator Paraic Brady has insisted a €250 fine for the first offence and a €1,500 fine for a second breach is not a big enough deterrent and it is not working.

The Drumlish-based public representative said unlicensed rubbish disposal by rogue individuals who earn a living out of the illegal practice is seriously blighting the countryside and environment.

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Senator Brady raised the issue in Seanad Éireann last week and he stated he was very pleased by the 'huge' cross party support.

"The severity of the fines is not steep enough and it does not discourage people from doing it.

"It's getting worse and the individuals who are doing this are dumping refrigerators and household appliances and rubbish and making thousands from it," he added.

Senator Brady stated the clean up costs for local authorities such as Longford County Council can sometimes run into tens of thousands of euro and the costs are excessive.

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"A lot of the items that are dumped like fridges and household appliances and empty drinks cans can be recycled but that is not happening," he added.

Senator Brady said a few of his colleagues in the Seanad felt his suggested fines are a little high but he is adamant they are warranted to send a clear message.

"Some might laugh at that. However, people are fly-tipping recyclable tyres, recyclable plastic and household waste.

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"It is unacceptable in this day and age, with all of the companies out there providing a service by lifting bins and so on.

"It is a big issue that needs to be addressed in this house," he added.
Senator Brady said they need to give the local authorities the powers to address this.

"We need to start as we mean to go on by increasing the fines, and if people do not pay them, they will get jail.

"We need to stand up and be counted on this. It is a huge issue that is affecting rural Ireland at this time," he added.

Senator Brady said he was encouraged by the significant support in the Upper House for his proposal.

A letter is being drafted and sent to Environment Minister Darragh O'Brien requesting a change and an increase in fines to finally eradicate the scourge of fly-tipping.

Senator Brady said the practice in local bogs and amenity areas has become a huge issue, not only in county Longford, but throughout Ireland.

"People are making huge amounts of money by lifting household and building site rubbish and fly-tipping it.

"This comes at a great cost to our local authorities.

"I call for a discussion on this issue and for greater powers to be given to local authorities with regard to cameras at black spots and other areas that are known to be subject to fly-tipping," he added.