Two illegal dumps have been uncovered in north and east Co Meath, it was confirmed today.
The sites, which were found in the Duleek and Drumconrath areas, are estimated to contain around 10,000 tonnes of waste each.
Meath County Council are investigating the source of this waste and any possible risks to public health. The council has served statutory notices on the owners of the land to gain access.
The Labour party's Meath by-election candidate, Cllr Dominic Hannigan, today called on the Government to increase resources to local authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in order for them to pursue criminal prosecutions against illegal dumpers.
"Illegal dumping is becoming very common in rural Ireland and there seems to be no coherent response or proposals coming from local and national Government," he said.
"The experience of illegal dumping in Co Wicklow shows that the investigations into illegal dumps which were discovered took months to reach a conclusion," he said. "That cannot be allowed to happen here."
Fianna Fáil's election candidate, Cllr Shane Cassells, accused the dumpers of "having no regard" for the people or environment of the county.
"No effort should be spared in bringing those behind such activity to account," he said. "Illegal dumps are a health and environmental time bomb and I will be asking the authorities to vigorously pursue those responsible."
He said he would be asking the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dick Roche, to establish a hotline to allow members of the public to report on illegal dumping.