Sir, - With the passing of the recent Waste Management Act and Litter Pollution Act in Ireland, we now have an opportunity to eradicate the scourge of litter from our towns and countryside, but only if all local authorities and the Gardai utilise fully the powers they now have to enforce the litter laws of this country and to take action against individuals, and commercial business for breaches of the legislation.
At present, the litter (and dog mess) problem throughout the country appears to be getting worse. The campaign launched last year by the then Minister for the Environment, Mr Brendan Howlin, in an attempt to educate people about the litter problem represented the carrot, i.e. to restore our country to its natural beauty. However, local authorities and the Gardai now have the necessary stick to make individuals and commercial business change their habits and obey the laws in this area.
On a recent trip to the beach, I was appalled by the amount of litter being thrown around. Further, I watched dog owners let their dogs "do their business" in the presence of anyone using the beach, including young children whose health is particularly threatened by this mess. Enforcement of all litter laws must now become a matter of priority of local Government and the Gardai, as appears to be the case throughout North America and most European Union countries. Otherwise, the law will be shown in this area to be truly an ass! - Yours, etc.,
Damien J. Hughes,
Upper Fitzwilliam St., Dublin 2.