A NEW Bill which will enable local authorities to use CCTV to tackle illegal dumping is to be published in the coming weeks, Clare’s Fine Gael TD has learned.

The issue which has been a huge source of concern, especially in the south and east of the county where large-scale fly-tipping is a recurring problem.

The matter has been raised several times by local authority members who have been told the law must change in order to permit the use of CCTV at dumping blackspots.

Deputy Joe Carey asked the Department of the Environment for a progress report on the legislation and regulation to enable local authorities to use CCTV in their fight against illegal dumping.
In response, Minister for State Ossian Smyth outlined progress to-date.

“The General Scheme of the Circular Economy Bill 2021 was published on 15 June 2021,” he told Deputy Carey.

“It is my intention under the Bill to facilitate not only the use of CCTV, but also the use of a broad range of Audio-Visual Recording (AVR) equipment in order to assist local authorities in their efforts to combat litter and illegal dumping.

“The pre-legislative scrutiny process has been completed with the publication of the final report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action on 16th December 2021. Drafting is well advanced, the Bill will be published in Q1 2022 and enacted as soon as possible thereafter.”