Madam, - I took two visitors from the UK to Wexford for business on Monday, April 7th.
They were impressed by the air of activity at Dublin airport and on our mid-morning traverse of the M.50. They, unlike myself, were not put out by the criminal delay in finishing the C-Route at its southern end, as they presumed it was part and parcel of any "normal" road-building job. I said nothing.
After our successful meeting, I opted to return to the capital across the Wicklow mountains, and as an extra treat, I decided to take the lake drive at Blessington. Big mistake!
Pausing to stretch our legs, I pulled into a small lakeshore parking area near Valleymount, and was "shaken and awed", to use a current term, at the disgusting condition of the site. Overflowing bins, assorted litter of every type, burnt remains of vehicles and abandoned domestic appliances festooned the area. My guests were appalled at the mess and could not understand how we could treat this area of outstanding beauty in such a manner. I mumbled a few pathetic excuses, and beat a humiliated retreat.
The facts are these. There is no will or commitment in this country to eliminate the scourge of dumping and littering. Whatever feeble efforts being made are making no inroads at all into the culture of filth that pervades this republic. We are unworthy of inhabiting one of the most beautiful locations on earth.
If our Government and local authorities will not do their duty by criminalising and stringently penalising those who undermine our economy and environment in this way, then citizens must act in their stead. Report incidents of dumping, note car registrations, times and places. Don't just look away in disgust; prosecute!
Do so from today, before we are buried under the tide of garbage that threatens to destroy our lives, our reputations, and our self-esteem. - Yours, etc.,
ANDREW JONES, Portmanna, Co Meath.