A litter picking task force organised by Ian Osborne were at the Rock again to collect the litter left by local visitors.  It is a shame that litter keeps appearing at the Rock, one of Skibbereen’s top natural resources and walkways.  Ian has dedicated a lot of time to keeping things tidy, and today was joined by a number of members of Skibbereen’s own Men’s Shed.

Litter is unfortunately a growing problem in Ireland.  The Irish Times reports that the scale of the problem is severe and growing.  “Figures show that 54 per cent of Dublin City Council households had not signed up to any authorised waste collection service despite a legal obligation to do so. The council said the cost of disposing of illegally dumped waste  was €640,000”.

The Examiner writes that Kerry had some of the cleanest and tidiest town in the country, but that parts of Cork are listed as “clean to European norms”.  Could do better!  Tidy Towns also undertake regular litter picks and volunteers are always welcome.

More drastic measures are afoot.  Cork County Council has written to the Government seeking permission to up the ante in the battle against those who “are blighting the landscape”.

Naming and Shaming?

The Examiner continues with the news that Cllr John Paul O’Shea has “won widespread backing for a motion that the council ask the minister for housing, planning, community and local government to beef up the Litter Pollution Act 1997. He said this legislation should be amended to allow the council to increase the on-the-spot fine of €150 to €300 for leaving or throwing litter in a public place.  He also wants approval for local authorities to publicise, every three months, the names, addresses and penalties handed out to those fined and convicted of a littering offence in the courts: “It’s easily recognised that we’ve a huge problem with littering. People will risk the smaller fine and we need a proper deterrent.”