Carlow, Enniskillen and Fermoy have been designated as "litter-free towns" in the latest survey conducted by An Taisce and organised by the campaign group, Irish Business Against Litter.
The various groups involved in reaching those high standards - local authority employees, the business communities and ordinary citizens - should be complimented on work well done. Their success will give heart to those other communities that have begun to break from a traditional pattern of public slovenliness.
Market research has shown that dirt and litter have a very negative impact on the hospitality and tourist sector. It makes sense to invest in giving Ireland a cleaner image. Eighteen months ago, the Coalition Government belatedly grasped this concept. The then Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Mr Dempsey, announced details of a national Litter Action Plan designed to eradicate litter. On-the-spot fines were introduced; local authorities were encouraged to intensify their anti-litter operations and to employ extra litter wardens and some of the money from the new Government levy on plastic bags was committed to anti-litter measures.
In spite of these initiatives, however, many local authorities failed to embrace a mind-set that regards dirt and litter as economically and socially damaging. Last month's survey of 29 Irish towns showed that communities in the Republic were - on average - more slovenly than those in Northern Ireland. The inspections concentrated on a range of material, including litter, chewing gum, graffiti, grass cutting, dog-fouling and fly-posting, and did not take the built environment or natural amenities into account. In the past, local authorities have pleaded a shortage of finance in defence of their inadequate cleaning and anti-litter services. But extra resources have been made available in recent years. Managements of the more enlightened urban and county councils have responded positively to the challenge.
Unfortunately, others have not; as is clear from the fact that half of the towns surveyed were found to be either "heavily" or "very heavily" littered. It is a disgraceful situation. Elected representatives, members of the business community and concerned citizens should all exert pressure to ensure regular, and particularly weekend, cleaning of our streets. It does not involve rocket science. More litter wardens, more litter bins, more frequent cleaning, a public education programme and heavy fines for offenders would bring about a transformation in the way we live.