Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013
709. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if dog foul bins will be provided at various locations along walkways in Killarney National Park, County Kerry, including the Fossa way, Muckross and the Demesne; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16990/13]
View answerI have no plans to provide dog foul bins in Killarney National Park.
Section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 places the onus on the person in charge of a dog to clean up immediately when their dog fouls in a public place.
The provision of dog foul bins in our national parks could lead to wider use of the bins for other waste, which would ultimately result in littering in their vicinity, especially during busy periods. My Department endeavours to manage our National Parks on the basis of the principles of the Leave No Trace programme, which envisages that no litter or waste is left behind by users but is taken out of the park for proper disposal.
