Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 699: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he last raised the issue of litter in urban areas with local authorities here; if he has sent, in the last year, a circular to local authorities regarding their responsibilities under the Litter Act, 1982 and other Local Government legislation; if he is satisfied that local authorities are carrying out their responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34458/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Local authorities submit data to my Department every six months on their anti-litter enforcement actions under the Litter Pollution Acts. These statistics are available in the Oireachtas Library and show that local authority performance on enforcement of the litter laws is being sustained at a high level. In recent years, more litter wardens have been employed and there has been a substantial increase in the number of prosecutions taken and on-the-spot fines issued.

Furthermore, the trends emerging from National Litter Pollution Monitoring System, which measures the extent and severity of litter pollution countrywide, are generally positive and show a modest but steady reduction in litter levels. Full details of data obtained for the Monitoring System are available on www.litter.ie. The positive trend shown by the Monitoring System is also reflected in the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) League results, which record that cleanliness levels in 53 participating towns and cities are generally improving.

Minster of State Batt O'Keeffe, who has responsibility for litter prevention and control, has in the last year written to local authorities in regard to litter matters. In addition, my Department issues circulars to, and liaises on a regular basis with, local authorities in relation to anti-litter initiatives and actions. Every opportunity will continue to be taken to urge local authorities to enforce the litter laws as rigorously as possible and to pursue litter awareness-raising and education initiatives.