Vol. 507 No. 1
70 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the increasing litter problem in Dublin and around the country; the proposals, if any, he will put forward to counteract this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16171/99]
Under the Litter Pollution Act, 1997, the primary responsibility for litter management and control rests with the individual local authorities. The Act also provides for the adoption of litter management plans by the elected members of each authority. However, I remain concerned at the prevalence of litter pollution in our society. In support of local authority action I have taken a number of measures including co-funding, with private sector interests, the successful An Taisce led national spring clean campaign and the establishment of a national litter pollution monitoring mechanism. This latter initiative which is now getting under way will be of particular value to local authorities and the public in highlighting litter blackspots, identifying models of good practice in regard to litter management planing and promoting a more even performance by local authorities, including further strengthening the already increased emphasis by local authorities on enforcement.
In addition to the above, representatives of the local authorities, the business community, the educational and tourism sectors, environmental NGOs, community and tidy towns groups have been invited to participate to a new national anti-litter forum to review actions targeting litter pollution and to investigate ways which they can be enhanced and extended.
