Galway’s city and county councils can now use CCTV and drones to tackle illegal dumping.
The enhanced surveillance powers were included in the 2022 Circular Economy Act, but delays in the development of appropriate data protection codes by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA ) meant these enforcement technologies are only now allowed.
Ireland’s local authorities spend up to €100million on illegal dumping each year, the same amount of money it takes to run Galway City Council’s services for one whole year.
City West councillor Níall McNelis gave a guarded welcome to the new powers, but demanded funding to follow.
“Dumpers must be held accountable for their actions,” he says. “Clarity is now needed on what additional staffing and funding will be available to exercise these additional powers. I know that Galway City Council only have a handful of people dealing with illegal dumping, and unless extra staffing and funding is forthcoming from Government, these additional powers will not be able to be utilised effectively.”
Dublin’s north inner city and Ballybane in Galway city regularly appear as the worst litter spots in Ireland, although Ballybane has improved its ranking in recent years.
Illegal dumping along the N84 Headford Road, in Loughrea, Gort and in several townlands in north County Galway have all received widespread condemnation in recent years.
