Vol. 469 No. 1
331 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment the evidence, if any, he has to show that fast food outlets in particular are a major source of litter; if so, the measures, if any, he proposes to take to deal with this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16379/96]
347 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, he has to introduce penalties for businesses which generate excessive amounts of street-litter, or concessions for those, who clear up the environs of their premises. [16574/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 347 together.
My Department earlier this year published the findings of a national litter survey conducted to establish a detailed breakdown of the composition of litter and to identify and classify typical types of littered locations. Litter associated with the operation of fast-food outlets was most commonly found to be the main source of litter on streets. This finding accords with local authority observations reported generally in recent years to my Department. Other types of littered locations were also identified in the survey. As previously indicated, I intend shortly to introduce a new Litter Pollution Bill which will replace the Litter Act, 1982. The Bill will include provisions to allow local authorities to take more effective enforcement action against occupiers of particular classes of premises whose activities have a particular propensity to create, or lead to the creation of, litter.
