Cross Border Waste Returned

Work is underway on a second site to return thousands of tonnes of illegally deposited waste to the Republic of Ireland.

Officials from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and Dublin City Council have begun supervising the process of returning an estimated 10,000 tonnes of waste from the site at Trillick in Co Tyrone.

All waste at the first site to be dealt with, at Slattinagh in Fermanagh, was removed in a five week operation which began last month.

The information gathered and the lessons learned from these two sites will be used to inform the process for the repatriation of waste from the remaining 18 sites in Northern Ireland.

At present the total amount of waste removed from the Slattinagh site and the final detailed costs are being compiled.

Stormont Environment Minister Edwin Poots said: "I welcome the fact that the waste has been removed from the Slattinagh site.

"The process was quick, efficient and a fine example of good north south co-operation which benefits both jurisdictions. I am encouraged that officials are now starting to do likewise at Trillick, which will result in another major source of pollution being removed from our community."

The waste will be removed using powers contained in Article 24 of the EC Regulation on Shipments of Waste and in accordance with the Road Map and Framework Agreement agreed by both jurisdictions.

As with Slattinagh, the Trillick operation is being carried out under an agreed Measured Term Contract for the excavation, examination and removal of the waste and will be supervised by both competent authorities, NIEA and Dublin City Council. Works will be managed in order to protect the environment and human health. Under the agreement, Northern Ireland will contribute 20% of the costs of site works and transport of the waste, but all disposal costs will be met by the Irish Republic.

(BMcC/GK)