Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)

I hear the Senator's frustration and understand her annoyance, given that there is a lot of voluntary work being done by people that is not being appreciated in this instance. I know the Senator is not happy with the reply but there is an independence. The Department has no involvement. For the Senator's information, the Department provides annual funding to IBAL towards the cost of its annual business against litter campaign but there is that line of separation.

I believe the An Taisce methodology involved attributing a cleanliness rating to each town or city based on a number of sites assessed. The Senator knows best with regard to Tallaght; I have not got that information. If 80% of sites in a town are virtually free of litter, the town is deemed clean by European norms, and the reference to European norms is based on specific research conducted by An Taisce on behalf of IBAL with regard to cleanliness levels in cities across Europe.

I will bring the Senator's concerns back to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, but I would encourage her, given the depth of her feeling, to engage with IBAL itself. It is important that we applaud the efforts being made by people in Tallaght, and we will work with them and South Dublin County Council to improve. We can all improve, no matter what area we are in. None of us is 100% perfect.