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Gormley launches €2.5m campaign to tackle litter

27/04/10

Mr. John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, today (26 April 2010) launched a scheme to support local authorities in keeping key tourist areas clear of litter during the summer.  “Unfortunately, some people continue to behave irresponsibly in discarding litter, leaving local authorities to clean up after them.  Those who litter, damage the environment and the economy,” said the Minister.  The scheme will provide a total of €1.5m over the next three years to support cleaning of key scenic, rural and visitor areas during the peak tourist season from May to September.

“It is vital that, as we move towards economic recovery, everyone plays their part in presenting Ireland in the best possible light to tourists and potential investors,” commented the Minister speaking in advance of the launch of the Irish Business against Litter’s Anti-Litter League for 2010. 

Minister Gormley also pointed out that the key to achieving a clean environment was improved individual responsibility and behaviour.  “In order to drive changes in behaviour, I am also providing local authorities with €1m in Litter Awareness Grants for 2010,” the Minister announced.  The grants are used for public education and awareness initiatives by local authorities in relation to both litter and graffiti. 

Welcoming the funding announced, Shaun Quinn, Chief Executive of Fáilte Ireland emphasised that “More than nine out of ten people cite our landscapes as one of the biggest selling points for a visit to Ireland, yet litter has long been a bugbear for Irish tourism.  Fáilte Ireland’s research annually records litter as one of the negatives raised most often by visitors. When you consider that tourism generates €6bn a year for our economy and supports 200,000 jobs, we need to view littering as a serious concern – a type of economic vandalism. For that reason, Fáilte Ireland welcomes today’s announcement and we will continue to work with our colleagues in the local authorities to ensure that one of our most important tourism assets is protected.”

The Minister also said that this was merely the start of a campaign which would see his Department engage with the EPA, local authorities, the NRA and the public to tackle the menace of litter in Ireland.  “While the most recent results of my Department’s National Litter Pollution Monitoring System, and those of Irish Business against Litter, show that there has been a huge improvement in litter levels in this country over the last 10 years, I want to drive home the importance of responsible behaviour in relation to litter. I know that local authorities are doing their best to tackle the litter problem on the ground but we must develop a more responsible public attitude towards litter”.  The Minister said IBAL, and Dr. Tom Cavanagh in particular, had made a very significant contribution to raising the awareness of the issue of litter and its impact on the economy.

Minister Gormley said that the campaign would encompass enforcement of litter legislation, awareness raising and clean-ups.  “In particular, I want to see our scenic rural areas protected from the blight of littering and illegal dumping.  It will require a combined effort by all the relevant agencies, local communities and groups such as IBAL.”

Responding to concerns expressed by IBAL in relation to gum litter, the Minister said some progress had been made where anti-gum litter campaigns had been run by the Gum Litter Taskforce, part of his previous agreement with the industry.  However, he said he remained concerned at the levels of gum litter and has not yet renewed the agreement.  “I am considering a number of approaches to tackle the problem and have sought additional information from the industry.  I have not ruled out the option of a levy on gum, but I want to see if the industry is capable of addressing the issue without the necessity to be regulated.”

 

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