Laois County Council have invested in drones in a bid to catch illegal dumpers.
Under GDPR regulations, the use of CCTV and drone technology to catch people who commit this disgusting act is not permitted.
However, the Council have purchased this technology now so as they are ready to use it when new legislation comes into effect which will lift the ban.
This is scheduled to happen by early next year and Laois have spent €15,760 to buy drone technology and audio devices.
Director of Services Simon Walton said: “We’ve been purchasing covert CCTV infrastructure.
“We’re now looking at some drone technology that will support the identification of illegal dumping.
“It’s an increasing challenge and increasing cost because of the increase in illegal dumping
“There will be later in the year a bulky waste amnesty day probably in September.
“That follows on from funding we got under the anti-dumping initiative. In fairness to the state they are funding some of the programmes.”
There are CCTV cameras at bottle banks in Laois but Mr Walton informed a meeting of Laois County Council that they are switched off due to the GDPR situation.
Cllr Willie
He said: “It is very bad news that there is no CCTV at bottle banks. We need that legislation quickly.
“Our hands are tied on using CCTV. There is an unmerciful amount of dumping.
“Could we come up with something new to stop this terrible epidemic on our society, once off skips or something?
“I was on a byroad last Sunday and by the time I walked the cattle up and came back, it had been littered.
“Our county would be a million times worse if not for the amount of voluntary workers out there.
“They’re absolutely fantastic. You see them out with bags and pickers every day. I thank all those people.”
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