Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has put it up to me. I responded last year because I have seen the work they do in every county, town and village. To me, it is not a grant or money for them. It is an investment in the country, given what they do for the community and the country.

I had responsibility for the national parks at one time and I saw the dumping that is happening in towns and villages, particularly in rural areas. The Minister, Deputy Naughten, and I allocated funding recently in regard to sophisticated measures to try to catch people who are dumping. Why should some people be cleaning up after others? We want to see more prosecutions and we want to support those who keep our communities, towns and villages clean and tidy. They deserve to be supported. On behalf of the Government and the Oireachtas, and on my own behalf, I thank all those involved in the Tidy Towns committees throughout the country. Sometimes we see them criticised, whether on Facebook or elsewhere, but I thank them for the work they do.

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