Inspectors from the Environmental Protection Agency and gardaí were tonight taking part in the first nationwide crackdown on illegal waste trafficking.
Road-side inspections and waste facility checks were carried out across the country by EPA staff and local authorities.
The Cork region was the primary focus of the concerted action and involved officials from the EPA's Office of Environmental Enforcement, Cork County Council and Cork City Council, with support from An Garda Siochána.
Other local authorities around the country conducted separate inspections during the day.
The nationwide operation came in the wake of a major environmental enforcement conference at which Mr Lynott called for an all-island co-operative approach to tackling illegal cross-border movement of waste. Over 250 delegates attended the first formal gathering of members of Ireland's Environmental Enforcement Network earlier this month.
PA