DoE inspectors check one illegal dump site

It has emerged that the Department of the Enivornment had not closed down an illegal site despite being told about it.

When the site was discovered near Armagh, the department let it continue for four days and close up unhindered.

Environment Minister Angela Smith insists the DoE teams can cope with the situation.

However, she said she may consider extra legislation if the courts are not tough with dumpers.

Ms Smith said the DoE are not an emergency service and will respond to such sites in due course.

But one problem is once the dumpers have disappeared, it is harder to make an arrest or get a prosecution.

What I would like to see us do is seize the vehicle and then have that vehicle destroyed Angela Smith Environment minister

"I think there is an issue about penalties, and I would like to see greater powers," she said.

"One thing we are looking at is if we can seize the vehicles.

"At the moment, we can arrest the driver - what we can't do is seize the vehicle.

"What I would like to see us do is seize the vehicle and then have that vehicle destroyed."

Earlier this year, the department confirmed it was uncovering up to two illegal sites in the province each week.

It is believed there are dozens of illegal dump sites containing 250,000 tons of rotting rubbish from household bins and industry across Ireland.

Much of the waste is being brought into Northern Ireland from the Irish Republic and has made some of the criminals behind the practice millionaires.