Write a commentNewry and Armagh MLA Cathal Boylan has brought the issue of illegal dumping at Carrickatuke to Stormont, asking Justice Minister, Naomi Long what action she has taken to prevent illegal dumping in border areas.
The minister commented that "Responsibility for illegal dumping lies primarily with the Department of Agriculture, rather than the Department of Justice. However, there have been a number of operations that have taken place jointly over many, many years, particularly where that illegal dumping is also related to organised crime or other illegal activity."
Mr Boylan welcomed a commitment from the Justice Minister Naomi Long to ‘follow up’ on concerns arising from the dumping in the Carrigatuke area of Newtownhamilton.
Speaking in the Stormont Assembly chamber Minister Long agreed to engage with her southern counterpart Minister Helen McEntee TD and Stormont Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA.
Mr Boylan said, “Illegal dumping near the Carrigatuke viewpoint of the Fews Forest has been rising steadily in recent years. There’s some evidence in recent times that some of this waste may be commercial waste emanating from the south. It’s important that there’s an all-island approach to tackling this problem and bring the perpetrators to Justice."
The MLA concluded “I’ve raised this issue directly with the Justice Minister Naomi Long and I welcome her commitment to look at this matter further. My colleague Cllr Bróna Haughey has been actively highlighting these issues over recent years and Sinn Féin believe that an all-island and multi-agency approach is required."
