Enforcement Policy: Illegal Waste Activity
Limerick County Council’s Enforcement Policy document sets out the policy framework that Limerick County Council will use in acting against illegal waste activity. The legislation which The Council operate under is the Waste Management Acts 1996 to 2008 (WMA Acts).
Underlying the policy against illegal waste activity are:
- Proportionality in the application of environmental law and in securing compliance.
- Consistency of approach.
- Transparency about how Limerick County Council operates.
- Targeting of enforcement action and implementation of the polluter pays principle.
There are a range of sanctions available that can be employed to action against illegal waste activity including:
- Court Orders
- Civil Penalties
- Prosecution
Penalties available under the Waste Management Acts include:
- Summary conviction – a fine not exceeding €3,000 or imprisonment for up to 12 months or both fine and imprisonment.
- Conviction on indictment – a fine not exceeding €15,000,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years or both fine and imprisonment.
Limerick County Council will always seek to recover the full costs of the investigation, detection and prosecution of the offense.