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| Return illegal rubbish - minister | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Illegal dumping of rubbish in Northern Ireland's countryside is to be tackled by "covert operations," an assembly minister has said. | Illegal dumping of rubbish in Northern Ireland's countryside is to be tackled by "covert operations," an assembly minister has said. |
| The dumping of waste by rogue cross-border operators has led to calls for Dublin Council to "repatriate" 14,500 tonnes of material. | The dumping of waste by rogue cross-border operators has led to calls for Dublin Council to "repatriate" 14,500 tonnes of material. |
| NI Environment Minister Arlene Foster said "continued vigilance" took place on both sides of the border. | NI Environment Minister Arlene Foster said "continued vigilance" took place on both sides of the border. |
| She said "further covert cradle to grave operations" were also planned. | She said "further covert cradle to grave operations" were also planned. |
| It has been estimated that up to 250,000 tonnes of waste has been dumped in the countryside in Northern Ireland in recent years. | |
| Ms Foster told assembly members her officials were in talks with the Dublin council about the return of the rubbish. | Ms Foster told assembly members her officials were in talks with the Dublin council about the return of the rubbish. |
| 'Endorsed' | 'Endorsed' |
| She said discussions with Dublin City Council had confirmed it as the appropriate authority to take back the waste. | She said discussions with Dublin City Council had confirmed it as the appropriate authority to take back the waste. |
| The minister said a "road map" to enable the return of the rubbish had been endorsed at a meeting with her Irish government counterpart, John Gormley. | The minister said a "road map" to enable the return of the rubbish had been endorsed at a meeting with her Irish government counterpart, John Gormley. |
| Ms Foster said waste dumped in Belleek had been repatriated in January. | Ms Foster said waste dumped in Belleek had been repatriated in January. |
| "It is intended that similar operations will take place under the methodology that is set up in the road map. | "It is intended that similar operations will take place under the methodology that is set up in the road map. |
| "Currently there are two sites containing around 14,500 tonnes of illegal waste being examined for priority attention and we have formally asked the Republic of Ireland to repatriate it. | "Currently there are two sites containing around 14,500 tonnes of illegal waste being examined for priority attention and we have formally asked the Republic of Ireland to repatriate it. |
| In June the DUP minister announced tougher dumping laws including increased fines and prison sentences for waste offences with convicted offenders forced to pay investigation, enforcement and clean-up costs. | In June the DUP minister announced tougher dumping laws including increased fines and prison sentences for waste offences with convicted offenders forced to pay investigation, enforcement and clean-up costs. |
| The department will also be able to take possession of vehicles used in waste offences if the move is sanctioned by a judge. | The department will also be able to take possession of vehicles used in waste offences if the move is sanctioned by a judge. |