Sir, - Many of your readers have expressed their concerns regarding litter in Ireland, confirming that Irish people are appalled by it. We also regularly hear of tourists expressing shock and disbelief at how we have let our beautiful country become so dirty.
The latter problem that now exists is having a negative impact on several of our indigenous industries including tourism and agriculture. Our reputation as a clean, green country is suffering considerably. In environmental practices we are far behind our colleagues in Europe and our image as a nation is tarnished as a result.
In an effort to reverse this state of affairs An Taisce, in partnership with the Department of the Environment and Local Government, Coca-Cola and the Wrigley Company, has initiated the National Spring Clean Campaign. Local authorities, schools, community groups, businesses and tidy towns committees are the main participants.
National Spring Clean is Ireland's first and biggest all-Ireland environmental campaign and will take place during the month of April. The campaign is an all-Ireland effort to highlight the serious issue of litter and the damage it is doing to our economic well being. National Spring Clean will include over 1,000 projects.
The gravity of this issue for our country cannot be underestimated. As a nation, Ireland needs to seriously tackle the litter problem which is choking us environmentally and economically. The campaign needs the support of everyone throughout the country, north and south, young and old. We would encourage concerned Irish citizens to contact their local authority and find out how they can participate in this year's campaign. Yours, etc., Patricia Oliver,
Chairperson, National Spring Clean Steering Committee, An Taisce, Tailor's Hall, Dublin 8.