2008-07-07 09:23:52 - Monday, 07 July 2008 - Mr. Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, this week said that the Government was committed to tackling environmental crimes such as litter and graffiti.

His comment followed the allocation of EUR34k in grants to Clare County Council for public education and awareness initiatives in relation to both litter and graffiti.

'This allocation represents a 33% increase on the figure allocated to County Clare in July 2007', explained the Clare T.D.

Minister Killeen added, 'Under the Litter Pollution Acts, local authorities have, in addition to litter functions,

a responsibility to prevent and take remedial action in relation to graffiti. The criteria for selection of suitable projects under this scheme have been expanded in 2008 to include anti-graffiti awareness initiatives, in order to support local authorities in their work in this area.'

He continued, 'Clare County Council and the Town Councils in Kilkee, Kilrush, Ennis and Shannon have taken great strides to progressively combat litter pollution, but much still remains to be done. Therefore, I would encourage Clare Local Authorities and communities across the county to continue to work together to clean up their localities.'

Minister Killeen urged Clare Local Authorities to continue to take all practical steps to raise public awareness of the environmental damage caused by litter pollution and educate the public about their responsibilities to prevent and control litter.

'I have no doubt that the EUR34k anti-litter grant allocated to Clare County Council will enable it to engage in a wide range of activities aimed at stimulating greater public involvement and encouraging a more responsible attitude towards litter', concluded Minister Killeen.

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has allocated over EUR7.5 million to local authorities for anti-litter awareness initiatives since the Litter Pollution Act was introduced in 1997.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (with special responsibility for Fisheries and Forestry), is available for interview and further comment on 0035387-2525304. Alternatively please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353868534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- High-resolution images of Minister Killeen are available on request

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900