Written question asked by David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 14 February 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 February 2006. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 March 2006 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Waste Management

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with Ministers in the Republic of Ireland regarding illegal dumping in Northern Ireland of waste from the Republic of Ireland.

Answer: Discussions on illegal cross-border waste are focused at ministerial and official level.I met with Ministers Cullen and Roche during my time as Environment Minister and had detailed discussions on a number of waste issues.As a result of these meetings, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland set up two cross-border working groups covering unauthorised waste activities and the transfrontier shipment of wastes. These seek to stem the flow of unauthorised waste across the border into Northern Ireland through co-ordinated and consistent enforcement. The groups complement each other and have helped to co-ordinate the work of the relevant regulatory bodies in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 53138; 443 c786-7W;443 c786-7W
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Hazardous substances Fly-tipping Northern Ireland Republic of Ireland Waste
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk