Minister fires warning as waste repatriation gets under way

Environment Minister Edwin Poots today warned there is no hiding place for those involved in the illegal dumping of waste in Northern Ireland.

The Minister was speaking as officials from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) began the process of returning thousands of tonnes of illegally deposited waste from Northern Ireland to the Republic.

Removal of waste from the first site at Slattinagh, Garrison, Co Fermanagh will begin tomorrow. It is estimated to contain around 4,500 tonnes of household-type waste from Cork and Wexford.

Mr Poots said: “This operation sends out a very strong message to landowners: do not agree to accept waste for infill – no matter how attractive the potential payment, it will never be worth the threat to your property and finances when you are caught.

“We are dealing with the legacy from ten years ago, when illegal disposal of waste from the Republic was taking place on a large scale. It involved serious criminality with absolutely no regard to the impact on the environment, local communities or our economy.

“This operation will repatriate around 250,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste. To put the scale of this operation in context Belfast, our largest District Council, produces less than 160,000 tonnes in one year. The larger of the initial two sites to be dealt with is currently holding as much waste as Moyle Council produces in 12 months.

“This process involved challenging work for my officials in DOE and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and their counterparts in the Republic. It illustrates the importance of co-operation to protect the environment, pursue environmental crime and protect those who are trying to run legal waste businesses in these challenging economic times.

“In line with the agreement reached with our Irish colleagues to repatriate illegally dumped waste, I welcome the fact that work on the first site has started.”

This repatriation process follows a 2007 Roadmap agreement between the two jurisdictions and a further framework agreement in June 2009 which agreed measures for dealing with sites containing waste from the Republic.

The waste will be removed using powers contained in Article 24 of the EC Regulation on Shipments of Waste.

When the waste at Slattinagh is removed, officials will then begin work on the second site which is located near Trillick, Co Tyrone and contains around 10,000 tonnes of waste.

The information gathered and the lessons learned from these two sites will be used to inform the process for the repatriation of waste from the remaining 18 sites in Northern Ireland.

John McMillen, Chief Executive of NIEA said: “This project marks the beginning of a long and complicated operation that will require careful planning and management. The efforts of NIEA officials and their Dublin City Council colleagues are now paying off as the waste begins to move.”

Anne Blacker, Head of NIEA’s Environmental Crime Unit, which carried out investigation of the sites, said: “The sight of lorries full of waste being removed represents the culmination of a great deal of planning and teamwork. We are removing a source of pollution which had the potential to keep polluting for decades.”

Notes to editors:

1. The original agreement has been developed by officials from both Departments of the Environment and has been approved by the then Environment Minister Arlene Foster and the 2009 agreement by the then Environment Minister Sammy Wilson and the Irish Environment Minister John Gormley.
2. The operation is being carried out under warrant with PSNI support.
3. Under the framework agreement NIEA has arranged a contract for the excavation, examination and removal of the waste.
4. The entire operation will be supervised by both competent authorities, NIEA and Dublin City Council, and works will be managed in order to protect the environment and human health. The waste and contaminated substrate is being transported for landfill in a site in Co Donegal.
5. Work is likely to be ongoing for several weeks after which it is hoped work on the second site will begin.
6. Under the agreement, Northern Ireland will contribute 20% of the costs of site works and transport of the waste. All disposal costs will be met by ROI. The true scale of costs involved will be established when the first two sites have been completed.
7. All media enquiries should be directed to the DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.