Large number of Environmental Complaints to Offaly County Council during first six months of 2023
A large number of Environmental Complaints were made to Offaly County Council during first six months of 2023
Of that number there were 369 cases of Litter Pollution reported to the Council, the July meeting of Birr MD was told.
Mark Maken-Finlay told the councillors that the term “Litter Pollution” refers to fly tipping, casual litter, and litter on property. He said the 369 reports were made to the Environment department of Offaly County Council during the first six months of 2023. “All were investigated in a timely manner and resolved where possible.”
He pointed out that during the first half of the year the Environment Section received 506 environmental complaints. These included the 369 cases of Litter Pollution and also 56 cases of Waste offences (which includes illegal dumping and burning; nine complaints of noise (in community, commercial and industrial settings); 17 complaints about Control of Horses; 32 about Control of Dogs; and 23 about Water Quality. “Again, all of these were investigated and resolved where possible.”
The Environment official said the Council seized eleven horses and donkeys following receiving the 17 Control of Horse complaints from members of the public.
Cllr John Clendennen pointed out that “dashboard dining” is now a very common phenomenon in cars, and it creates a lot of unwanted litter on the roads exiting towns and villages. Cllr Peter Ormond agreed. “Dashboard dining is a big problem,” he said.
Cllr Clendennen said people with control of horses and control of dogs infringements should be “named and shamed.”
He also asked what happens to the horses and donkeys when they are seized by the Council?
Mark Maken-Finlay said seven of the donkeys were seized in one go by the Council, in Edenderry. “A number of the control of horses infringements are occurring in the one blackspot in Tullamore.”
He added control of dogs can be “very hard to police.” He said dogs are not allowed in graveyards and yet people still bring them in.
“Regarding dog fouling, the vast majority of people are very conscious of the issue and always bring poop bags with them when they are walking their dogs. Unfortunately there's a small percentage who feel they don't have to comply with the rules; they don't bring poop bags; and they allow their dogs to run around in parks without leads. One possible idea, which could be a thing, would be to create dog play areas in parks, as is done in the US and Europe with considerable success."