A call has been made for the Minister for the Environment, Mr Roche, to adopt the "zero tolerance" approach he takes to illegal dumps in Co Wicklow to every other county, writes Marie O'Halloran.
Dr Mary Upton (Labour, Dublin South Central) also criticised the Minister for going on radio to address the issue but failing to address the Dáil on the same issue when she tried to raise it.
The Labour TD said Dublin City Council had failed for two years to deal with an illegal dump close to the Guinness Hopstore and to James's Street Christian Brothers school.
It was unacceptable that the school and local residents had to put up with the "revolting sight" of the dump on Grand Canal Harbour, used for scrap metal, household white goods and rubbish.
Minister of State Mr Brian Lenihan answered for Mr Roche, who is abroad on Government business.
He reiterated what Mr Roche had already stated - that this was an enforcement matter which was the responsibility of the local authority and the Office of Environmental Enforcement.
Dr Upton said the school had to call the fire brigade on a regular basis because black smoke blew in through windows.
"The smoke is dense and has a rubbery, plastic smell. It is full of poisonous gases.
"There is an area between the school and the halting site which becomes flooded and is infested with rats."
Dr Upton, who raised the issue on the adjournment, said the rats could be seen from the school, were dangerous and the situation was very bad for school morale.
Mr Lenihan said the Government had already demonstrated the seriousness with which it viewed incidences of illegal dumping, and gardaí had been requested to assist in the investigation of such activities in Co Wicklow.