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Irish govt to move illegal waste Irish govt to move illegal waste
(about 8 hours later)
The Irish government is to remove waste from the Republic which was illegally dumped in Northern Ireland.The Irish government is to remove waste from the Republic which was illegally dumped in Northern Ireland.
Environment Minister Sammy Wilson revealed 20 sites in NI were identified as containing 250,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste from the south.Environment Minister Sammy Wilson revealed 20 sites in NI were identified as containing 250,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste from the south.
Mr Wilson's ministerial counterpart in the south, the Green Party's John Gormley, has agreed a scheme to see the waste removed.Mr Wilson's ministerial counterpart in the south, the Green Party's John Gormley, has agreed a scheme to see the waste removed.
The Republic has agreed to meet the cost of disposing of the waste.The Republic has agreed to meet the cost of disposing of the waste.
They will also meet 80% of the cost of excavating it and repairing the sites.They will also meet 80% of the cost of excavating it and repairing the sites.
Mr Wilson said: "This represents a good deal for Northern Ireland and I look forward to seeing work beginning soon to remove the waste at the first two sites and the elimination of any potential environmental issues associated with the illegally dumped material.Mr Wilson said: "This represents a good deal for Northern Ireland and I look forward to seeing work beginning soon to remove the waste at the first two sites and the elimination of any potential environmental issues associated with the illegally dumped material.
Irish Environment Minister John Gormley, has agreed a scheme to see the waste removed
"Enforcement staff from Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA)and the Republic of Ireland are continuing to work together to ensure that illegal dumping of Republic of Ireland waste in Northern Ireland does not happen in the future."Enforcement staff from Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA)and the Republic of Ireland are continuing to work together to ensure that illegal dumping of Republic of Ireland waste in Northern Ireland does not happen in the future.
"These joint enforcement operations together with the prosecution of those previously involved in this type of environmental crime are designed to present a deterrent to illegal waste management activities.""These joint enforcement operations together with the prosecution of those previously involved in this type of environmental crime are designed to present a deterrent to illegal waste management activities."
Commercial wasteCommercial waste
The NIEA estimates that the municipal and commercial waste from the Republic was illegally dumped in the north between October 2002 and the end of 2004.The NIEA estimates that the municipal and commercial waste from the Republic was illegally dumped in the north between October 2002 and the end of 2004.
Since taking over responsibility for waste management from district councils in December 2003, the NIEA said it has been actively targeting those involved in illegal dumping.Since taking over responsibility for waste management from district councils in December 2003, the NIEA said it has been actively targeting those involved in illegal dumping.
Of the prosecutions taken to date, more than 70 cases have involved waste from the south.Of the prosecutions taken to date, more than 70 cases have involved waste from the south.
This has resulted in a number of fines, and four prison sentences being imposed on landowners allowing waste from the Republic to be dumped on their land.This has resulted in a number of fines, and four prison sentences being imposed on landowners allowing waste from the Republic to be dumped on their land.
The NIEA has also worked with the Assets Recovery Agency, now the Serious Organised Crime Agency, and confiscation orders totalling more than £800,000 have been made.The NIEA has also worked with the Assets Recovery Agency, now the Serious Organised Crime Agency, and confiscation orders totalling more than £800,000 have been made.
The first sites where work under the new plan will begin are at Slattinagh, County Fermanagh and near Trillick in County Tyrone.The first sites where work under the new plan will begin are at Slattinagh, County Fermanagh and near Trillick in County Tyrone.
Work on the sites could begin in the autumn and it could take up to five years to complete on all 20 sites.Work on the sites could begin in the autumn and it could take up to five years to complete on all 20 sites.
It is estimated that the Northern Ireland contribution to the initial two priority sites will be about £600,000.It is estimated that the Northern Ireland contribution to the initial two priority sites will be about £600,000.