SINN Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan has called on Limerick City and County Council to take a proactive role in addressing the issues of illegal dumping and vacant dwellings at the Watergate Apartment complex in the city
Deputy Quinlivan made the comments following repeated calls from residents in the area regarding these issues.
Speaking to the Limerick Post this week, the Limerick politician said that over the past number of weeks he has received numerous calls from residents of the area who are fed up with the constant dumping in and around the flat complex.
“Despite repeated calls from residents for action, the Council has failed to act allowing these problems to persist and exacerbate. A failure to tackle this issue has allowed the area to become a hotbed for illegal dumping bringing with it the dangers of rodent infestations and associated challenges,” Deputy Quinlivan explained.
He also takes the view that the failure of the local council to get to grips with this persistent problem not only damages the reputation of our city but compromises the well-being and safety of residents of the complex.
“While the responsibility for the removal of this debris lies with the Council, I would call on those who are using the area for dumping to desist. Those who dump their waste, particularly, in a residential area show no respect for their neighbours. Those found illegally dumping should be prosecuted to the full extent of the powers available to the local authority and the Gardaí.”
Deputy Quinlivan went on to point out that there is a scarcity of affordable housing in Limerick and yet a substantial number of local authority dwellings stand empty, neglected, and unallocated.
“These vacant properties should be allocated as a priority. We have vulnerable families in need of accommodation and the fact that there are vacant and unallocated properties is unacceptable.”
“The people of the Watergate Flats deserve better, and I wonder if such dumping would be tolerated by the Council in other areas of our city,” Deputy Quinlivan concluded.
