Fine Gael senator, Paraic Brady has called for an increase in the fines for fly-tipping in rural bogs to a minimum of €10,000.

Speaking in a Seanad debate on Tuesday, March 4, Senator Brady said fly-tipping has become a huge issue throughout the country.

"People are making huge amounts of money by lifting household and building site rubbish and fly-tipping it. This comes at a great cost to our local authorities," he said.

"I call for a discussion on this issue and for greater powers to be given to local authorities with regard to cameras at black spots and other areas that are known to be subject to fly-tipping," he added.

Brady told Agriland that legislation will need to change in order to stop dumping and fly-tipping in rural areas.

"If there was a severe fine, there would be less dumping. It's a huge problem all over Ireland. When I was a councillor, it was a problem," he said.

"We all know that it costs thousands upon thousands for local authorities to clean up waste that has been dumped. If the fine is increased, it will stop some of these fellas re-offending," he added.

The on-the-spot fine for littering in a public place is currently €150. If convicted of littering in the District Court, there is a fine of up to €4,000, and up to €600 for every day a person continues to litter after a conviction.

Local authority litter wardens and the Gardaí can issue on-the-spot fines.

Senator Brady told the Seanad, that unless the government takes action, illegal dumping will continue throughout the whole of Ireland.

"People are fly-tipping recyclable tyres, recyclable plastic, and household waste. It is unacceptable in this day and age, with all of the companies out there providing a service by lifting bins and so on. It is a big issue that needs to be addressed," he said.

"We need to give the local authorities the powers to address this. We need to start as we mean to go on by increasing the fines, and if people do not pay them, they will get jail. We need to stand up and be counted on this. It is a huge issue that is affecting rural Ireland at this time," he added.