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We are deeply concerned at the overall slow progress being made to deliver the CPA. This could lead to future violations and deadlines within the agreement being missed. The Government are pressing the CPA parties, both bilaterally and through the AEC, to implement the agreement in full. We are also providing substantial development assistance through the Department for International Development in support of the CPA.

Terrorism

Baroness D'Souza asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they have taken to implement the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe's recommendations on the issue of secret detention and transport of detainees suspected of terrorist acts. [HL1557]

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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): We have carefully considered the recommendations made by the secretary-general. However, as stated in the Written Answer my honourable friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Kim Howells, gave to the honourable Member for Chichester (Mr Andrew Tyrie) in another place on 23 November 2006 (Official Report, col. 245W), the Government believe that domestic legislation and international legal instruments already exist to deal satisfactorily with the concerns he has raised. We stand by this statement and continue to believe that there is no need to create new mechanisms such as those the secretary-general proposes. My honourable friend the Minister of State, Kim Howells, sent a letter to the secretary-general on 23 January outlining the Government's position in detail.

Ulster-Scots

Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:

What discussions they have had since 2004 with the Government of the Republic of Ireland concerning the status of the Ulster Scots language. [HL1280]

Lord Rooker: On-going discussions take place between Northern Ireland civil servants and Irish Government officials about the operations of the North/South Language Body which may include matters relating to the Ulster-Scots language.

Waste Management: Fly Tipping

Lord Rana asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the extent of fly-tipping in Northern Ireland by county; what are the costs incurred in cleaning up fly-tipping; what steps have been taken to counter the problem; what is the extent of fly-tipping in Northern Ireland emanating from the Republic of Ireland; and what representations have been made to the Government of the Republic of Ireland on this issue. [HL425]

Lord Rooker: Fly-tipping tends to be casual, occasional dumping by householders but not all councils maintain the necessary data on its prevalence. The Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) is seeking councils' agreement to the operation of a database used successfully throughout Great Britain into which all councils and regulatory bodies can input details of fly-tipping incidents.

As regards large-scale, illegal dumping, since EHS took over responsibility for waste management in December 2003, it has received almost 4,000 reports of such incidents. EHS has taken 173 successful prosecutions against illegal operators, generating more than £200,000 in fines to date.

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Clean-up costs are not known but it is estimated that 250,000 tonnes of illegally disposed waste from the Republic of Ireland are likely to cost more than £25 million to clean up. Under EC legislation, RoI has primary responsibility for dealing with any of its waste illegally deposited in Northern Ireland.

Officials from Northern Ireland and the Republic have agreed actions designed to strengthen the response

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in both jurisdictions to any existing or future illegal movements. EHS has set up a dedicated environment crime team, which is working closely with its counterparts in other regulatory bodies such as the PSNI and district councils and in the Republic of Ireland. New legislation will be introduced in spring 2007 and will provide stronger investigative powers and greater financial penalties.

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