asked the Minister for Local Government if he will consider the introduction of on-the-spot fines for the indiscriminate dumping of refuse on the roadsides in County Dublin.

Legislation to make provision as suggested by the Deputy is not proposed.

Would the Minister not think that something should be done about this problem because in County Dublin we have been victimised by city people who by indiscriminate dumping in ditches are causing flooding in the area? It is up to somebody, if not the county council, then the Department, to do something. The Department should introduce legislation to restrict this kind of thing.

Of course most dumping is done at night and it is quite difficult to apprehend the guilty persons. Under section 80 of the 1963 Planning and Development Act a duly authorised officer can demand the name and address of any person whom he reasonably suspects to be guilty of the offence of dumping litter and where the person concerned does not give his name and address he is liable on conviction to a fine of £5.

Is it necessary for a person to have a permit to dispose of refuse on an official dump?

On an official corporation dump?

Yes, and if not should it not be made known to people that they can avail of the public dumps to dispose of their refuse now that other facilities are not available?

If anyone wants to use the public dumping places they should, in courtesy to the local authority, request their permission to do so and this, I expect, will be forthcoming.

This is a very pertinent question at the present time when people have to resort to dumping refuse on the main thoroughfares. Could facilities not be offered people to dispose of their refuse on the official dumps?

Yes, if they request the permission of Dublin Corporation.

Must they request such permission?

I think they should.