Return illegal rubbish - minister

Estimates put illegal dumping in recent years at 250 million tonnes

Illegal dumping of rubbish in Northern Ireland's countryside is to be tackled by "covert operations", an assembly minister has said.

The dumping of waste by rogue cross-border operators has led to calls for Dublin Council to "repatriate" 14,500 tonnes of material.

NI Environment Minister Arlene Foster said "continued vigilance" took place on both sides of the border.

She said "further covert cradle to grave operations" were also planned.

It has been estimated that up to 250,000 tonnes of waste has been dumped in the countryside in Northern Ireland in recent years.

Ms Foster told assembly members her officials were in talks with the Dublin council about the return of the rubbish.

'Endorsed'

She said discussions with Dublin City Council had confirmed it as the appropriate authority to take back the waste.

The minister said a "road map" to enable the return of the rubbish had been endorsed at a meeting with her Irish government counterpart, John Gormley.

Ms Foster said waste dumped in Belleek had been repatriated in January.

"It is intended that similar operations will take place under the methodology that is set up in the road map.

"Currently there are two sites containing around 14,500 tonnes of illegal waste being examined for priority attention and we have formally asked the Republic of Ireland to repatriate it.

In June the DUP minister announced tougher dumping laws including increased fines and prison sentences for waste offences with convicted offenders forced to pay investigation, enforcement and clean-up costs.

The department will also be able to take possession of vehicles used in waste offences if the move is sanctioned by a judge.