Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 October 2014
252. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will allow restaurants and auctioneers in rural areas to continue to use signage to ensure the viability of their family businesses (details supplied); when is it envisaged that these new regulations will have to be observed. [38763/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the issue concerned relates to an exercise being undertaken by Roscommon County Council under the Litter Pollution Act 1997 (as amended). Under that Act, the primary management and enforcement response to littering must come from the local authorities. Therefore, it is a matter for each local authority to decide on the most appropriate enforcement actions in their areas, taking account of local circumstances and priorities. Local authorities are independent statutory bodies, with democratically elected councils and their own management system and it is a matter for each local authority to determine the most appropriate course of action to tackle litter pollution within the legislation provided. Neither I, as Minister, nor my Department have any function in relation to the matter.
