Seán Power
Ceist:248 Mr. Power asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will give consideration to the introduction of new measures to tackle the litter problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19195/99]
Written Answers - Litter Pollution.
John Gormley
Ceist:265 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on criticism from Irish Business Against Litter regarding his handling of the litter crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18816/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 265 together.
I have met with representatives of IBAL on a number of occasions and share their concern that litter pollution must be vigorously tackled. I seek to work with IBAL and other interested organisations in a positive and constructive manner. In this context IBAL were invited to participate in the recently formed national anti-litter forum which has been asked to report within six months with recommendations on bringing added value to the range of measures which I have already initiated. These include the establishment of an independent monitoring mechanism to report on local authority performance in controlling litter; support for the An Taisce led national spring clean and a new emphasis on enforcement which is demonstrated in the significant improvement in enforcement activity by local authorities reflected in the statistical returns available in the Oireachtas Library.