Minister announces agreement on repatriation of waste

An agreement has been reached with the Irish Government to remove waste, originally from the Republic of Ireland, which was dumped illegally over the border

. Environment Minister Sammy Wilson revealed a total of 20 sites have been identified in Northern Ireland containing around 250,000 tonnes of waste illegally transported from the Irish Republic, mostly in the early part of the decade.

The Minister said: “I am pleased to announce that the Irish Minister John Gormley and I have signed a framework agreement which paves the way for work to begin on putting in place contractual arrangements to remove the waste illegally dumped in Northern Ireland and return it to the Republic of Ireland.”

The framework agreement sets out the roles of the relevant authorities in arranging the necessary contracts and the liability falling to each jurisdiction.

It is set within the legal context provided by the EU Shipments of Waste Regulations and follows on from the road map for tackling illegal movements of waste which was endorsed by Ministers from both jurisdictions in October 2007.

Under the agreement, the costs of disposing of the waste will be met by the Republic of Ireland in full. The Republic of Ireland will meet 80% of the costs of excavating and removing the waste and remediating the sites, with Northern Ireland meeting 20% of these costs.

Mr Wilson said: “This agreement, building on the road map, demonstrates the value of co-operation with the Republic of Ireland in dealing with illegal activity and ensuring the implementation of the ‘polluter pays’ principle.

“This represents a good deal for Northern Ireland and I look forward to seeing work beginning soon to remove the waste at the first two sites and the elimination of any potential environmental issues associated with the illegally dumped material.”

“Enforcement staff from NIEA and the Republic of Ireland are continuing to work together to ensure that illegal dumping of Republic of Ireland waste in Northern Ireland does not happen in the future. These joint enforcement operations together with the prosecution of those previously involved in this type of environmental crime are designed to present a deterrent to illegal waste management activities.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The NIEA estimates that up to 250,000 tonnes of municipal and commercial waste from the Republic of Ireland was illegally deposited at 20 sites in Northern Ireland between October 2002 and the end of 2004.

2. Since taking over responsibility for waste management from District Councils in December 2003, NIEA (formerly EHS) has been actively targeting those involved in illegal dumping via a dedicated Environmental Crime Team. Of the prosecutions taken to date, over 70 cases have involved waste from Republic of Ireland. This has resulted in a number of fines, and in four cases prison sentences, being imposed on landowners allowing RoI waste to be dumped on their land. Cases are still ongoing.

3. In addition NIEA has worked with the Assets Recovery Agency (now the Serious Organised Crime Agency) and confiscation orders totalling over £800,000 have been made against those involved in illegal disposal of Republic of Ireland waste in Northern Ireland Recently NIEA secured its first confiscation order by its own Financial Investigation team of £200,000. These orders are obtained under the Proceeds of Crime Act and will continue to be a key element in the NIEA fight against environmental crime.

4. The framework agreement has been developed by officials from the Department of the Environment (NI) and the Department for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the Republic of Ireland. It has been approved by Minister Sammy Wilson and Irish Minister, John Gormley.

5. The agreement relates, in the first instance, to the first two priority sites at Slattinagh, Co Fermanagh and near Trillick, Co Tyrone, but the agreement will also form the basis for action in respect of the other 18 sites.

6. Under the framework agreement Dublin City Council, as the Irish competent authority, will be responsible for procuring a contract or contracts for the excavation, examination and removal of the waste and the remediation of the site afterwards. This will be done in consultation with the NI competent authority, the NIEA. The waste and any contaminated sub-strata will be removed and disposed of in a facility in RoI. NIEA staff will oversee the removal operations on each site to help ensure that the environment is protected during works.

7. The procurement process, carried out under EU rules, is likely to take three to four months. It is hoped that the work could commence on site shortly after the main contract has been awarded, which is likely to be in the autumn. It is expected that the work could take up to five years to complete for all 20 sites.

8. Under the agreement Northern Ireland will contribute 20% of the costs of excavation, examination and removal of the waste and the remediation of the site. Although the full cost cannot be established until excavation on each site has been undertaken it is estimated that the Northern Ireland contribution to the initial two priority sites will be of the order of £600k. The remaining costs including the full cost of disposal will be met by the Republic of Ireland.

9. For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office 028 9054 00O3 or out of office hours, contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.