Vol. 452 No. 2
6 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for the Environment in view of the fact that his Department is taking responsibility for the tidy towns competition, if he will introduce a criterion of recycling in adjudging success in the competition. [7779/95]
I have this morning launched the 1995 tidy towns competition which is being organised by my Department for the first time. The competition has been highly successful since its inauguration 37 years ago and the criteria for adjudication are highly developed and well known to the tidy towns committees in the 750 towns, approximately, which compete annually. These criteria are effort, tidiness, presentation of buildings, presentation of natural amenities, appearance of approach roads and presentation of residential areas. Attractively presented and well managed recycling facilities should earn merit under these criteria.
As my Department gains experience with the competition, I fully intend to pursue ways of improving synergy between the competition, the new anti-litter initiative and other environmental programmes, including recycling. I might mention, for example, that this year's competition includes a new award, in recognition of European Nature Conservation Year 1995, for participants who best integrate nature conservation into their overall activities.
I thank the Minister for his reply although he is not going along the lines I suggest in my question. As the Minister mentioned, the tidy towns competition is in its thirty-seventh year. Obviously the parameters have changed since its inception and the adjudication criteria are different. In this day and age we have a heightened awareness of environmental issues. Obviously tidy towns groups remove litter, bottles, cans, plastic and so on. Would it not be a good idea to encourage such groups not to dump this material but to recycle it?
I note the Minister has not closed the door on my suggestion and perhaps this could be done in the future.
The Deputy's suggestion is very good and is something I will take under my wing. My first priority this year is to have a smooth and effective transfer to my Department of responsibility from Bord Fáilte which has run a very successful national premier competition which has had a tremendous positive benefit across the country. I intend to develop that responsibility. The psychology behind the competition has changed, it is no longer a case of shining up Ireland for the visitor and tourism promotion but the people saying they demand a pristine environment. The competition dovetails very well with all the other initiatives including recycling, waste management and water management which have been driven by the sustainable development plan and the land use plan. It has found a new home. I would like the transfer to be smooth. The Deputy's suggestions will no doubt be incorporated into the new scheme as the years evolve.
The competition can be developed and if we change its name to, for example, the sustainable town competition people will demand that local authorities provide pedestrian facilities, traffic management, good water quality and improved facilities not just for tourists but for themselves. If the name were changed people would realise that points would be awarded for things other than tidiness.
The 37 year record of the Tidy Towns Competition is exemplary. I do not want to rush into change. We want a gradual change and expansion but the new home for the competition, fitting into a radical series of initiatives on the environment, will broaden its nature. The attitude of tidy towns committees has changed greatly in the past number of years. I intend taking a number of parallel initiatives which will have common purpose in making Ireland a cleaner and tidier place. Perhaps ultimately a change of name would be appropriate in such an evolution.
I accept the rationale behind the transfer of functions from Bord Fáilte to the Minister's Department. I wish his Department a lot of luck. Will the Minister accept that unless we embark quickly on a comprehensive programme of waste reduction and minimisation, the cost to ratepayers of meeting EU regulations in respect of sanitary landfill sites and incineration will be crippling?
There is a need for brevity.
Will the Minister accept that we must begin by changing public attitudes to these matters and that this can best be done in the context of a programme which has proved to be successful and towards which there is such good will, namely the Tidy Towns Competition? Will the Minister consider designing a tidy cities competition?
That should be adequate, Deputy.
Yes. There needs to be a change of attitude and the vehicle to bring that about is the Department of the Environment. I am delighted that those who have sponsored the competition for such a long time have agreed to stay. I had a chat with them during the course of the function this morning and they are excited about the new parts coming on stream.
The waste Bill will be published in May and it will be the most significant environmental legislation since the Environmental Protection Agency Bill was passed. Legislation on its own is not enough. We need to surround it with a number of initiatives, including clear projects on recycling. I have seen all kinds of projects which are potentially good ones. Yesterday I saw a wormery for domestic compost use. It is in use in 100,000 households in Britain. It might sound jocose but it reduced the amount of waste from domestic households by 40 per cent. If we can achieve such a reduction in tandem with glass, paper and aluminium recycling we will reduce the cost of and need for landfill sites.
Tidy town committees rely greatly on community employment teams. Will the Minister ask his colleague, the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, to ensure these are not affected by the cutbacks? As this is the first year in which the Department is operating the competition we would not like to see a fall in standards which may reflect on the Minister.
Let us not tax the Minister with responsibilities which are clearly not his.
They will be if there is a fall in standards.
Many towns have improved facilities for people with a disability. Will the Minister ensure that facilities for the disabled will be given a high priority in each category in the new competition?
I will pass that suggestion to the committees.
I thank the Minister for the way he responded to questions. The Department must develop its own expertise and I do not expect the Minister to change the rules immediately. When we think of tidy towns we tend to think of small villages with a population of 200 or 500 people. It is usually towns or villages in that category which win the competition but there are major problems in larger towns or cities and perhaps a financial inducement could be given to encourage them.
There may be scope for doing as the Deputy suggests and I will bear all the useful advice and suggestions I have received in mind as one of the most important national competitions grows and develops.
