The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Senator says dumping offenders should be ‘named and shamed’
SEANAD Leas Cathaoirleach Paul Coghlan has said stronger measures must be put in place to tackle illegal dumping, and has called for offenders who ignore or fail to pay court fines to be listed publically.
Speaking in the Seanad, the Kerry Senator said a ‘name and shame’ approach could be what’s needed to deter offenders.
“At present, if a Local Authority can establish who owns material that has been illegally dumped, a fixed penalty notice is issued. If they fail to pay, they are then taken to court and prosecuted, so we have a number of deterrents already in place - yet we still see illegal dumping,” he said
“We need further action to reduce this crime, and protect our environment.
“A number of Local Authorities have installed CCTV operations in known litter blackspots, but not all authorities have the required finance to do so.
“For those who fail to pay the fixed penalty notice and are taken to court, their names should be published either on the website of their Local Authority or in their local newspaper.”
The senator also praised the hard work of those involved with Tidy Towns committees and similar groups, and described illegal dumping as ‘a plague’.
“It’s an issue that plagues both our rural countryside and our urban areas. It’s a source of embarrassment to Local Authorities and the people who work all year round to keep their communities tidy.”