Vol. 374 No. 9
asked the Minister for the Environment if, in view of the results of the coast watch survey conducted by a newspaper (details supplied), he will designate refuse collection in rural areas with a coastal boundary as an essential service having regard to the substantially increased level of domestic refuse dumping on the coastline where such refuse collections are poorly organised or not sufficiently frequent; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
141.
asked the Minister for the Environment the action, if any, he proposes to take to ensure that the Litter Act, 1982 is enforced with particular reference to the dumping of domestic and industrial refuse on our coastline; if he will meet with the local authorities who have a coastal strip in their functional area with a view to establishing standards of monitoring removal and enforcement within the terms of the Litter Act, 1982; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 141 together.
Local authorities have a wide and up to date range of powers in relation to both dumping and litter control. Each county council and county borough corporation is also responsible for all aspects of waste management in its functional area, including decisions on the extent and frequency of the refuse collection and disposal services. I will continue to avail of every opportunity to urge local authorities to make maximum use of their statutory powers to deal with dumping in the areas referred to in the question and in other areas. All authorities have been asked to consider assigning anti-litter duties, either on a full time or part time basis, to an appropriate number of employees. The fine-on-the-spot system is intended to provide quick and effective action in relation to litter offences and the level of this fine was increased last year from £5 to £25.
Unfortunately, legislation will not on its own secure a clean and tidy environment and, even with the best will in the world local authorities will not succeed in eliminating dumping and littering without public co-operation. I intend, therefore, to continue the promotion of environmental awareness activities and, in particular, campaigns to develop an improved public consciousness of the need for a cleaner and tidier environment.
