Irish Government Get Smart against Illegal Dumping

Irish Government to use undercover surveillance and smart technology to fight illegal dumping.

17:55 18 February 2018

The Irish government is to invest £2 million in undercover surveillance and smart technology, including drones and CCTV systems, to fight illegal dumping. Irish Business Against Litter says that the illegal practice is probably the biggest single problem facing the environment. The Government has called on local authorities as well as community groups to apply for funding as part of the investment.

 

Environment Minister Denis Naughten said: “I personally believe that illegal dumping is both economic and environmental treason,” he said.

 

“From an economic perspective, it gives a bad impression for tourism, for investors coming into our regions.

 

“It is environmental treason because it is a blight on our environment.”

 

Irish Business Against Litter spokesperson Conor Horgan has welcomed the move but says more needs to be done:

 

“A lot of it boils down to the County Council and City Council to clean up our country,” he said.

 

“It is not a resource issue that there are still litter black spots.

 

“We identify them year-on-year; point them out to the city councils, yet in some cases they are just no addressed.”