Data protection hinders war on illegal dumping

Tipperary Co Council is writing to the Minister for the Environment over legislation that has inhibited local authorities from using CCTV surveillance in the war against littering.

During another lengthy discussion on litter at this month's meeting of the council, Cllr Marie Murphy noted that seven local authorities were recently reprimanded by the Data Protection Commissioner over using CCTV as a preventative measure against litter offenders. She welcomed that new legislation on the matter has been introduced in the Seanad and hoped to see it progressed quickly.

“CCTV should be one of the most important tools in combating a problem the local authority is spending so much money on,” said Cllr Murphy, who added that the council expenditure does not include the amount that local communities are spending on picking up litter themselves.

Cllr Jim Ryan wanted CCTV cameras installed at Tipperary's most scenic walkways to catch and deter offenders of a crime that he said is not being discouraged.

“People have to be fined and named and shamed in the press,” said Cllr Ryan, who also told the meeting of a new problem of dead animals being dumped in Thurles.

Cllr Tony Black regretted that GDPR has presented “a new challenge” in the already very difficult process of trying to prosecute offenders where litter is concerned.

Senior Executive Officer Marion O'Neill also welcomed the Seanad legislation regarding CCTV. Ms O'Neill told the meeting that CCTV monitoring had helped the council double its litter fine numbers last year. Cameras had also contributed to a considerable reduction in littering at bottle and clothing banks.

The council carried a notice of motion in the name of Cllr Declan Burgess, who wanted Minister Eamon Ryan “to change the law and amend the Litter Pollution Act 1997 and the Waste Management Act 1996 to provide a clear and consistent statutory framework to allow local authorities to use CCTV to deter illegal dumping”.

SPRING CLEAN

Several speakers feared there would be difficulties with holding the national Spring Clean this year due to Covid restrictions, but they suggested that the council should support local communities as much as possible. Cllr John Carroll pointed out that the council does not have the resources to clean every area but that small community groups are organising litter picks. People are realising that if they only cover a kilometre or two every weekend, they make a big difference, he said.

Cllr John Fitzgerald spoke of great enthusiasm among communities to tackle litter and felt this should be supported. “People are willing and busting at the seams to get going at this,” he told the meeting. “What can we do to help?”

Cllr David Dunne said a pilot scheme where people could bring their rubbish to a ‘Big Belly’ bin in Carrick-on-Suir had proven successful and should be rolled out elsewhere. He also called for a plastic bottle deposit scheme to encourage recycling.

“It's a problem that's not going away,” Cllr Michael Fitzgerald observed of the litter situation, which seems to be more evident now than before. “More people are out walking so more people are noticing,” he said, calling for a high-profile countywide cleanup similar to that undertaken in Limerick every Good Friday.

Cllr Shane Lee agreed that the problem is worsening. He blamed much of it on the privatisation of refuse collection and said the laws on litter are “out of touch”, remarking that the council could spend €800 or €900 bringing an offender to court where they receive only a €150 fine.

“In 10 years time we'll be talking about the same thing,” Cllr Lee surmised.

DOG FOULING

Councillors also hit out at dog owners allowing their pets to foul in public places, a problem that speakers claimed to have received numerous complaints over. Cllr Eddie Moran said the problem has become particularly apparent in Templemore Town Park.

“It's absolutely disgraceful,” he fumed, saying dog owners need to be held responsible through prosecution.

Cllr Micheál Anglim agreed and suggested a new media campaign on the situation. “Make it embarrassing for the owners,” he said.

Cllr Anne Marie Ryan spoke of a new initiative being rolled out in Tipperary Town whereby volunteers spray dog faeces with bright colours to highlight the problem. While she knew the idea might sound “a bit crazy”, Cllr Ryan said it had proven an effective measure in other locations.

Director of Services Clare Curley made it clear that the council is maintaining its “zero tolerance” policy on littering of all kinds. Even with Level 5 restrictions, the Environment section had not ceased any actions against offenders, apart from the new household inspection initiative.

Ms Curley said the CCTV issue had not prevented the council from bringing prosecutions forward and it had been successful in quite a number of court cases.

The council received funding for Big Belly bins in Cahir as well as Carrick-an-Suir on a pilot basis. Yellow jackets are being distributed in some towns to assist with community cleanups and Ms Curely hoped to do the same elsewhere in the county.

She took the opportunity to pay respect to the many communities organising their own litter picks and pointed out that people do not have to join Tidy Towns groups if they are concerned about safety with regard to Covid. People can work within their own small groups and the council will dispose of what they gather.

Ms Curley pointed out that the council cannot change the fines for littering and dog fouling.

But she said there is a lot of work going on in the Environment section and the council is well prepared to issue penalties where offenders are caught.