‘Very disappointing’ - Waterford Council owed thousands as dumping fines remain unpaid

Waterford City and County Council is owed over €8,000 in unpaid dumping fines, a plenary meeting has heard.

In its most-recent update,  the council confirmed it had issued 101 fines for dumping so far this year, but only 44 of them have been paid.

Therefore, whilst the council has received some €6,600, the 57 outstanding fines amount to a total of €8,550.

The issue was raised by Fine Gael councillor Frank Quinlan at the council’s plenary meeting for the month of September.

Cllr Quinlan queried: “Can we do something to encourage people to stop this dumping all over the city and county? People are just putting bags left right and centre.”

Cllr Quinlan praised the work of the cleansing department who are “doing a fantastic job”, but pointed out that their work is often in vain.

“We have the cleanest city in Ireland for the past two or three years but there’s a certain amount of people that are actually not abiding by the rules and it’s very disappointing to see bags being left by the roadway or in estates,” he commented.

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Cllr Quinlan concluded by pointing out that County Waterford has two civic amenity sites where people can legally dump their waste.

Director of Services Gabriel Hynes said he “100% agreed” with Cllr Quinlan when it came to the dumping issue.

He believes that education is the real solution to dumping in Waterford and further afield.

Mr Hynes said: “We have fabulous public amenities in Waterford City and on our beaches. It’s important that people leave no trace.

“If we can get a cultural shift to ensure where we can get more and more people to make sure that they’re not littering or not illegally dumping, that’s the place we want to be.

“We have a strong enforcement team but the real solution to illegal dumping and littering is education and awareness.”

Mr Hynes concluded by saying that if fines in question are not paid, the council will pursue illegal dumping through the courts and obtain prosecutions.