Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The nice weather we have had in the past couple of weeks is welcome, but it brings with it problems. One significant problem which is annoying many is the increase in the volume of litter on beaches and in holiday resorts. What people, when they come to these resorts, enjoy their amenities and then dump their rubbish, fail to realise is that somebody must clean it up and that it costs money to do so. I, therefore, seek an increase in litter fines. The on-the-spot litter fine, at €150, needs to be doubled. If people are not prepared to do the decent thing and bring their rubbish with them, if they are caught, they should be fined. The amount of people fined for throwing their litter around the place is derisory and I would like to see an increase in that number. Ultimately, we need to see an educational programme being introduced in schools to make children aware that it is unacceptable to litter our beautiful country.