Illegal dumping an environmental concern - Smyth

Fianna Fáil Deputy for Cavan-Monaghan Niamh Smyth says she is horrified by the increase in the number of incidents of illegal dumping following the Christmas period.

“Over 40 cases have been reported to my office within the past three weeks in Cavan and Monaghan where people with a complete disregard for our countryside has got rid of their household waste along our rivers, housing estates, fields and walkways. And I know this is only a tip of the iceberg,” Deputy Smyth said.
“Cavan County Council’s Waste Management Section informed me earlier this week that 31 bags have been cleared from the Town lake in Bailieborough, following calls from the public to my Constituency Office. I’ve received a call from Shercock this morning to say a further 12 bags of rubbish have been dumped in local waterway in Shercock. This is the second incident reported to my office at this location in Shercock since Christmas”
County Cavan at the present time has only two full-time litter wardens, one of which was just appointed last September. “I understand that they also have a litter management officer who co-ordinates call-outs,” Deputy Smyth stated.
“Two people to police this massive issue in this region just isn’t enough and the longer the government leave the councils without extra reinforcements, the more impact dumpers will have on our environment.”
In a Parliamentary question asked in recent months to the Minister for the Environment, Deputy Smyth was told it was up to the local authority to make sure this area is properly resourced.
“That simply isn’t good enough when we all know how funding has been cut to Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council in recent years. 
“I believe this is the next major environmental epidemic to hit our countryside. Many areas are suffering on an daily basis due to illegal dumping and it will continue until the Government adequately fund and resource the local councils to be equipped in this trash war,” Deputy Smyth concluded.