NEW ILLEGAL DUMP AT BLESSINGTON FURTHER EVIDENCE OF WASTE CRISIS IN WICKLOW SAY GREENS

"Following the recent verification of significant quantities of illegal waste on the Roadstone site the Minister would appear to have no option but to declare a waste crisis in the county" says Green Party councillor, Deirdre de Burca. She argues that given the scale and number of illegal dumps that have been discovered in West Wicklow to date, the council cannot be expected to have the resources to pursue speedy site investigations and to assemble the evidence necessary to prosecute those responsible.

Councillor de Burca points out that most of the waste that has been discovered in these dumps to date appears to have come from Dublin. "County Wicklow is clearly regarded as a safe dumping ground for Dublin's waste" she says. "The Minister must recognise the how serious the situation is and provide extra resources and expertise to the council to help its officials in responding efficiently to the waste crisis".

The potential contamination of the Poulaphuca Resevoir which is adjacent to the Dillonstown site is one that should trouble the Minister according to de Burca. "This resevoir serves a majority of homes in the Dublin area" she says."The Minister does not appear overly concerned about what the people of Wicklow have to endure but he will surely have to respond if the drinking water supply for a majority of homes in the Dublin area becomes contaminated".

The Wicklow Greens support a policy of zero tolerance in relation to any illegal dumping in the county. They argue that if the Minister for the Environment, Martin Cullen, were to declare a waste crisis in the county, it would send an important message out to those involved in illegal dumping that Wicklow was no longer a low-risk location for their activities. "The Minister must act now and give the council the resources it needs to do the job properly" says de Burca.

For further information please contact Deirdre de Burca on 086 8061450 or email deburca@wicklowgreens.org.