Máirín Quill
Ceist:17 Miss Quill asked the Minister for the Environment if he is in receipt of the Irish business survey on litter; and if he has studied the findings of this survey. [6631/96]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Litter Problem.
Liam Aylward
Ceist:26 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment the number of convictions in 1996 under the litter laws. [6624/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 26 together.
I have recently received a copy of the nationwide survey of public attitudes to litter undertaken by market research consultants for the Irish Business Against Litter Group. The detailed findings of the survey are being examined in my Department.
I very much welcome the IBAL initiative in arranging this survey. It complements the survey recently published by my Department which analysed the composition of Irish litter and classified typically littered situations. The results of both surveys reinforce my determination to promote the new Action Against Litter initiative on a sustained and powerful basis.
The initial stages of Action Against Litter have already begun. A full policy statement has been published. I have met with local authority chairpersons and managers to enlist their full support, and my Department has issued guidelines to encourage better local authority performance in litter control. I have also met with leading business and voluntary sector interests to mobilise their support for, and participation in, Action Against Litter.
An aggressive multi-media campaign will begin shortly after Easter, aimed at raising public awareness and focusing attention on the incidence of litter in different situations around the country. Video and other educational material to encourage anti litter awareness will be distributed to schools in the coming school term.
I am also preparing new legislation to replace the Litter Act, 1982. The new Bill will provide stronger and better powers for local authorities to take more effective action in preventing and controlling litter.
Information in relation to convictions to date in 1996 under the Litter Act is not available in my Department. I have, however, given details of prosecutions and convictions in each of the years from 1992 to 1994 in the reply to Question No 34 on 12 December 1995.
In the nationwide survey, 72 per cent of those questioned stated that litter legislation was not enforced. What action does the Minister propose to take to ensure it is enforced and that its enforcement is monitored?
This is a difficult issue. I called together the chairpersons and managers of each local authority to discuss this, one of the most important environmental initiatives I will undertake. We had an open discussion on law enforcement and I gave the statistics to the local authorities. The Lord Mayor of Cork stated that one of the difficulties in enforcing the law was that one depends on the co-operation of the offender. If a person is given an on-the-spot fine of £25 under the Litter Act, 1992 very often they do not give their proper name to the litter warden. We must change people's attitude towards littering as many offenders do not regard it as a serious issue. People must realise it is an unacceptable act of environmental vandalism. I intend to strengthen the law and, through better enforcement procedures, ensure people are aware that we are serious about the issue.
I accept the Minister is laden with good intentions but I am asking for action on the issue. The Minister has admitted that the existing law is unenforceable. He cited his encounter with the Lord Mayor of Cork who brought the difficulties experienced in that city to his attention. The Minister must be convinced that the law is inadequate. When does he intend to update the litter legislation that will be enforceable? In a letter I received from the Minister dated 12 February he stated that he proposes to introduce——
The Deputy may not quote at Question Time.
——updated law. Will that legislation be before the House in the next session? What is the reason for the delay? Will the Minister go down in history as the Minister who promised much but delivered little?
We want the Minister to litter the place with legislation.
I will not respond to the clichés. My record in both ministries has been one of action, performance and delivery rather than making promises.
It has been one of brochures and press releases.
I will set my record against that of any of my predecessors.
That could be dangerous.
The Deputy is under an illusion if she thinks enactment of a new Bill, which will be published before the summer and hopefully taken this year, will solve the problem. We need to change people's attitude. They are not aware of the damage caused by litter to the environment and the economy. That is why I spoke directly to IBEC. IBAR brought the industrial leaders together and they have my full support in putting the issue at the top of their agenda. I outlined a range of initiatives. We often regard enactment of the law as an end in itself but it is not. If we are to resolve the litter problem we must do much more than enact legislation. Not only will we enact legislation but we will launch a campaign to try to bring about a change in attitude.
When? I do not see evidence of any commencement date.
The Deputy is better at broadcasting than receiving. The legislation will be published before the summer and hopefully enacted by the end of this year. I met the local authorities. The strategy document has been published and the local authority strategies are in preparation. I had discussions with them and guidelines have been issued. The educational pack for schools is being distributed. The multi media campaign has been finalised and will be broadcast immediately after Easter.
The problem has not diminished.