I want to raise the growing problem of illegal dumping across the Dublin South-West area. Over the past couple of weeks in particular we have seen significant amounts of waste being dumped in our communities on housing estates. One pattern that is becoming increasingly noticeable is the use of skip bags. Only yesterday, a large skip bag filled with waste was dumped close to houses in Aylesbury. This morning I got a report of a skip bag that was burned on an estate in Tallaght-Belgard. Over the past couple of weeks, I have been getting reports of dumped skip bags in areas such as Knocklyon, Springfield, Firhouse, and Kilnamanagh. These are all areas where the residents work tirelessly to keep the standards high and their communities really clean. To those dumping, shame on them. They are undoing the really hard work of residents.

We need to look at regulation of skip bags themselves. These bags are relatively inexpensive and can hold a substantial amount of waste. Unlike hiring a conventional skip, a person can purchase a skip bag from a retail outlet without creating a clear record linking the bag to the purchaser. Two changes should be examined. Skip bags should have to be registered and booked for collection by an authorised waste collector in a similar manner to a conventional skip. Second, every skip bag sold should have a unique barcode or identification number with sufficient traceability to identify the purchaser or registered user if that bag subsequently turns up dumped illegally. At present, the council staff investigate dumped material for evidence but it can be hard if there is no personal information. The issue of illegal dumping in our areas and communities warrants a debate with the Minister. I call on the Minister to come into the House to discuss the scourge of illegal dumping in our areas.