While the Government was cleaning up Irish banks today, foreign banks were cleaning up Ireland as part of An Taisce’s National Spring Clean campaign.
Bankers from UK-based bank HSBC joined Minister for the Environment John Gormley, TDs Jimmy Deenihan, Chris Andrews, Lucinda Creighton and Mattie McGrath and the Friends of the Grand Canal community group to undertake a clean-up of Dublin’s Grand Canal today.
Banker Stephen Croughan said some 30 people from the bank were taking part in the canal clean.
Breffnie O’Kelly spokeswoman for Friends of the Grand Canal said the clean ups have brought together all sorts of people, who might not otherwise have met.
“On a typical monthly clean up, you might have a High Court judge off to pick litter with a cleaner from Romania, or a TD holding open plastic bags for a young musician," she said.
National Spring Clean manager Emlyn Cullen said the group is “a wonderful example” of how a local community is willing to give time and energy all year round to make an effort to improve their local environment.
“While the National Spring Clean focuses on the month of April, the initiative has been designed to heighten awareness of litter and waste issues and promote personal responsibility for litter throughout the year,” he added.
More than 500,000 people are expected to take part in cleaning schemes across the country this April as part of the campaign.
Last year, some 1,596 tonnes of litter was collected as past of the campaign, 35 per cent of which was recycled.
Every group that registers on the campaign’s website - www.nationalspringclean.org - receives a free clean-up kit, containing posters, refuse sacks, gloves and tabards for protecting clothes.
Upcoming events:
* North Bull Island Co Dublin, Saturday April 3rd: Volunteers to meet at the Junction of James Larkin Road and North Bull Island Causeway at 8am to clean the entire North Bull Island Nature Reserve.
* Wexford Sub Aqua Club, Saturday April 10th: Volunteers are urged to meet at Wexford Sub Aqua Club clubhouse, Kilmore Quay at 10am. From here volunteers will clean the sand dunes and the area around Ballyteigue Bay. There will also be snorkelers/divers in the water checking the seabed for debris.
* Cockleshell, Co Kerry, Saturday April 10th: Local Volunteers to meet at the Lock Gates car park Blennerville and Cockleshell road at the end of the walking path on Saturday morning. The main focus of the clean up will be to tackle the beach, walking path and associated areas .