Vol. 566 No. 4
157 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he plans to set up a task force to deal with the litter and dumping issue in so far as it impacts negatively on repeat visits by tourists. [11121/03]
While a range of national anti-litter initiatives are being pursued by my Department in the framework of the Government's litter action plan, including strengthening litter legislation, implementation of a national litter pollution monitoring system and supporting a range of education and awareness initiatives, primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to litter pollution generally lies with the local authorities. Accordingly, it is a matter for each local authority to decide on the most appropriate public awareness, enforcement and clean-up actions in relation to litter, taking account of local circumstances and priorities.
In discharging their responsibilities in this regard, it is open to local authorities to work in partnership with local communities and the business sector – including local tourism interests – to develop and implement appropriate anti-litter measures. In the circumstances, I have no proposals along the lines suggested by the Deputy.
