Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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513. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to amend the Litter Pollution Acts; if he will extend the range of enforcement personnel that may issue fines under Section 22 (Dog related offence) of the Litter Pollution Acts so that there is a wider enforcement scope in countering the problem of dog littering. [45108/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2009 provide the statutory framework to combat littering and include provisions relating to dog fouling.  Under the Acts, the primary management and enforcement response to littering (including dog fouling) is a matter for local authorities.

It is a matter for each local authority to determine the most appropriate course of action to tackle litter pollution locally within the legislation provided, including the most appropriate public awareness, enforcement and clean-up actions in relation to litter and dog fouling, taking account of its own local circumstances and priorities.

Section 16 of the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992 sets out the powers of dog wardens. In addition, section 28 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 provides that a dog warden, within the meaning of the Control of Dogs Act 1986, may issue a notice or on-the-spot fine to an individual believed to have committed a prescribed offence under the Act. It is also open to a member of An Garda Síochána or a litter warden under the Litter Pollution Acts to issue a notice where an offence is believed to have been committed. It is a matter for each local authority to authorise members of staff to perform the functions of a litter warden under the Act.

I am of the view that there are sufficient penalties in place and that the powers are conferred on appropriate personnel to deal with the issue of dog fouling when enforced under the Litter Pollution Acts and I have no plans to introduce further legislation at this time.   I believe that raising awareness of the litter problem and educating our young people is key to effecting a long-term change in society’s attitudes towards litter disposal. Ultimately, however, it is the responsibility of each individual to ensure that they play their part in preserving the environment for others through the responsible disposal of their litter, including in relation to dog fouling.