Madam, – The fact that last weekend more than 200 volunteers participated in Portarlington’s Spring Clean disproves Paul Doran’s assertion (April 15th) that “people just don’t care”.
The public is, however, overwhelmed by the scale of the litter problem where louts casually engage in dumping sacks of rubbish on country roads as a lifestyle choice, or even more depressingly, as a commercial venture.
Equally they feel abandoned by hopelessly ineffective national and local government that operate in quasi “failed state” mode regarding litter. In my town this means there is no street-cleaner, nor a fixed schedule for emptying overflowing public litter bins.
We effectively face a national emergency with regard to litter, where a subversive group within Irish society seems intent on destroying our environment, our tourist industry and the quality of life of Irish citizens. What is needed is a national plan to tackle the problem. If necessary, this should include the introduction of legislation to create the offence of “environmental and tourism terrorism”. How else could you describe the recent dumping of a trailer-load of rubbish in the magnificent Emo court?
Local voluntary groups can only do so much – it is time for national Government to show leadership and a willingness to flex its muscles with regard to litter. – Yours, etc,