"People get lazy and forgetful..." Senator urges people to bring home litter to keep Kildare tidy

Labour Senator Mark Wall has urged care and collective responsibility to tackle littering during the spell of good weather.

Senator Wall said: “The local community and Kildare Council are working hard to keep on top of litter all year around, but once the sun shines we have the same experience every year. People get lazy and forgetful and we are all too familiar with the sight of litter across public areas in the mornings."

The Kildare politician added: “I’m urging people to take pride in their local area and remember to leave no rubbish behind as they enjoy the great outdoors. Tidy Towns and community groups in Kildare do trojan work to keep the show on the road, but it’s not good enough that these volunteers are out picking up after revellers.

“Politicians have more to do too. I have urged this Government to up the resources given to Councils nationwide to make it easier for people to dispose of their waste after meeting outdoors. We need to see more litter bins, particularly in popular congregation areas.

“More and more, people want to enjoy the great outdoors but it’s no secret that Ireland is utterly ill equipped for this. Government must assign increased funding to all local authorities for investment in public toilets and street furniture.

“Public toilets are essential and long overdue in communities throughout the country. Moreover, the provision of toilet and seating facilities is an equality issue; for older persons, those with young children, those without money to spend in private enterprise, and those with a disability, access to a toilet can be the difference between cities being accessible or not."