Households cannot be forced to disclose refuse disposal measures

It appears that households do not have to disclose how they get rid of their domestic waste after all – after the County Council was left with a €100,000 bill to clean up one massive mess.

The local authority was left with the six figure bill to combat a major problem with illegal dumping, primarily at vacant houses on the Gilmartin Road estate in Tuam.

At the time is was suggested that the community wardens visit every house in the town and ask for proof of where every household dispose of their domestic refuse – but now Cllr Shaun Cunniffe informed a meeting of Galway County Council that this could not happen as the public were not obliged to reveal such information.

“We had been hoping that householders could be asked for proof of how they dispose of their waste but it seems they are not obliged to answer this question,” he said.

“The Council do not have the resources to carry out another similar clean-up operation and if there is not a regeneration programme in Gilmartin Road then we could be looking at a repeat situation.

“In fairness to the residents, they spearheaded the clean-up with the full cooperation of Galway County Council but the fact that we cannot ask the public how they dispose of their rubbish is bordering on the ridiculous,” Cllr Cunniffe added.

The Tuam independent councillor said that illegal dumping in the town was a major problem and it was obvious that many householders were not availing of the private bin collection service that is available locally.

He also said that the penalties for illegal dumping were ridiculously low at €150. He asked that they be increased and was willing to put down a motion if this was required.

Cllr Pete Roche wants the Probation Service involved in the illegal dumping situation. He said that those who are being assessed could get vital help by being out in the community gathering up litter.

“It is one of these problems that simply will not go away. It is obscene what is happening out there but there has to be a mindset change. I could go on and on about it but I fear that this is something that will be coming up and up again. But the situation in Tuam was one of the worst I have seen,” Cllr Roche added.