Sir, - Apart from Dublin, which is a disgrace, many of the towns and villages in Ireland's main tourist areas are dirty and little thought is given to cleaning the pavements and streets. For example, in Clifden during last summer, there was a complete absence of bins. I had to enter a shop and ask the staff if I could deposit my rubbish in their bin.
What must foreign tourists think when they have to wade through empty crisp packets, drink cans and other rubbish? When we travel abroad we do not do so to immerse ourselves in litter. Why should we expect others to do so here?
The road networks around our major centres is an embarrassment. Rubbish is spread like confetti. Action against litter louts is obviously non-existent and the methods and numbers of staff employed in the clean-up process are below par.
What can be done with the ignorant people who drop the litter? Only education and enforcement can instil in these people a sense of responsibility. Education should come through the schools and mass media advertising. The steps for enforcement are obvious and adequate resources must be thrown at the continuous clean-up of the environment.
I believe that the litter problem costs Ireland at least £25 million a year in lost tourism revenues. Accordingly, the matter deserves serious national debate. Bord Failte must have costed its effects and I can not understand why it is not more vocal on this subject.
If I were a foreign tourist, I would not return to Ireland on account of the filth. - Yours, etc.,
Thady McAleese, Orpen Green, Stillorgan, Co Dublin.