Sir, - I was very pleased to see the subject of litter being raised by a number of individuals in your letters page. Litter pollution is a problem which has been ignored for far too long in Irish society.
Isn't it chastening to note that much recent correspondence on this issue was from visitors to this country, rather than people who live here all year round? It is a fact of life that the presence, or absence, of litter in this country has a major impact on potential inward investment and the growth of our tourism industry.
It was for this, and other compelling reasons, that the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) organisation was established at the start of this year. It draws many of Ireland's leading companies together in a bid to increase litter awareness and create stricter enforcement of improved litter laws.
We have already conducted and published one Lansdowne Market research nationwide survey, which highlighted the huge litter problem which Ireland now has. On September 25th we will publish the results of a similar survey which was conducted during peak tourist season and focussed entirely on the views of visitors to this country with regard to our litter control and awareness levels. It is our intention to ensure that the findings of that survey are used to highlight this problem even more.
IBAL will also hold an international conference on litter in the Conrad Hotel in Dublin on November 20th. Several leading experts from around the world will contribute to an international debate, which will be of considerable significance during the course of Ireland's Presidency of the EU. We have also made a number of contributions to the Department of the Environment in its preparation of the forth coming Litter Act. I am glad to say that it appears the Minister and the department have taken on board our views in the Act by recognising that coaxing and persuasion is not enough to deter people from dropping litter on our country.
The task of highlighting this issue continuously is not an easy one, but IBAL is determined to keep the litter debate in the public arena for as long as it takes to bring about meaningful change. The time is fast approaching when everyone in this country, the business community included, will truly appreciate the problems caused by litter pollution, be cause it will hit them where it is likely to hurt them most their pockets. - Yours, etc.,
Chairman, Irish Business
Against Litter,
Rathcairn,
Fermoy,
Co. Cork.