HC Deb 11 May 2004 vol 421 cc267-8W
Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he intends to take in relation to the illegal dumping of toxic material at the green area, Annadale Embankment, Belfast. [171236]

Angela Smith

Powers to deal with illegal dumping are enforced by a number of regulatory bodies including district councils, roads service and the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) of the Department of the Environment. The owners of land where waste has been unlawfully deposited also have responsibilities in the matter. I understand that quantities of waste material have been deposited at Annadale Embankment for the purposes of the 11 July bonfire celebration. Statutory bodies have encountered particular difficulties when endeavouring to deal with waste deposited for bonfire events. To address this, an Interagency Working Group on Bonfires was established by EHS in November 2003. The Report of the Working Group, with guidelines for communities in preparing and organising bonfire events, will be published and sent to all elected representatives in Northern Ireland, and to regulatory bodies involved in the control of bonfires, in the week commencing 17 May 2004.

Legal action will continue to be taken by EHS, when evidence is available, relating to the disposal of commercial waste to bonfire sites by either waste producers or transporters.

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