Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 12: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the current implementation of litter enforcement legislation in the country to tackle the ongoing litter problem; if he has any new proposals in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30258/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009 provide a strong statutory framework for combating litter pollution. Under the Acts, the primary management and enforcement response to littering must come from the local authorities. Therefore, it is a matter for each local authority to decide on the most appropriate enforcement actions in their areas, taking account of local circumstances and priorities.

During 2009, 22,830 on-the-spot litter fines were issued, 3,074 prosecutions were initiated and 692 convictions were secured by local authorities under the Litter Pollution Acts. I believe this demonstrates a commitment by local authorities to enforcing the legislation in a pro-active way.

Penalties for littering offences are already substantial, ranging from an on-the-spot fine of €150, to a maximum fine of €3,000 on summary conviction and a maximum fine of €130,000 on conviction on indictment. Therefore, I have no plans to increase the level of fines for litter related offences at this time.

In relation to specific recent measures designed to assist local authorities in dealing with litter pollution, I have allocated €1.5 million over a three year period in support of a new initiative, the Tourist Season Anti Litter Support Grant Scheme, and I am also establishing an Action Group to address the problem of rural and roadside litter.