Sir, - We fully share the puzzlement expressed by Ian Broad (June 16th) when he asked if the Environment Minister is being held back by some of his Government colleagues from vigorously enforcing the country's anti-litter laws.
Enforcing the law would solve the litter problem - especially the provision which places responsibility on property owners to keep the pavements outside their properties and visible areas inside free of litter.
In Opposition, public hygiene was a central issue for Fianna Fail and it promised that, if elected, littering would be eliminated. Three years on Mr Dempsey admits that the problem is getting worse. This is despite growing public concern and warnings from Bord Failte that the country's vital tourism industry is being damaged. IBAL has never doubted the capability of Mr Dempsey - maybe, as Mr Broad suggests, he is being held back by the apathy of his colleagues.
The Garda simply refuses to enforce the litter laws, and there is no evidence that this bothers the Justice Minister in the slightest. Consider the disgraceful condition of railway stations, rail lines and bus stations around the country. What is the Public Enterprise Minister, Mary O'Rourke, doing about this daily flouting of the law by State agencies? The approaches to schools are notorious litter blackspots, but there is no sign of concern from the Minister, Michael Woods, at this daily offence under the Litter Act. Despite the importance of our green image for our food exports. Mr Walsh has also been silent. What has been the contribution of the Minister for Tourism, Mr McDaid?
It is because of this indifference and collective inaction that IBAL has undertaken the current national billboard campaign which seeks to squarely lay the blame for the litter crisis at the door of the Government. Can they be shamed into action? The vast majority of our people don't litter. Without enforcement of the law and good example from the Government the minority will never change. - Yours, etc.,
DR Tom Kavanagh, Chairman, IBAL, Fermoy, Co Cork.