The GAA has rejected criticism from a Dublin councillor that it is not playing its part in the city's anti-litter campaign
Labour councillor Aodhán Ó Riordáin said Dublin City Council was to spend almost €25,000 this summer advertising an anti-litter campaign on big screens in Croke Park.
Cllr Ó Riordáin said the GAA had "made many promises" to place ads on their big screen to encourage patrons to bring their litter home. "This hasn't happened," he said.
"It now transpires that Dublin City Council are to splash out €25,000 this summer on big screen advertisements to do the very job that the GAA promised that they would do themselves."
However this was rejected by Croke Park stadium director Peter McKenna. He described the comments as "inaccurate and unhelpful".
Mr McKenna said the GAA paid €8,500 to the city council towards the clean-up operation after every stadium event. "That's nearly €250,000 a year," he said.
Mr McKenna said an independent survey carried out before and after fixtures at Croke Park found that the area was actually cleaner after the events than before.
He said the GAA also advertised its anti-litter policy in national newspapers, in match programmes and on the backs of tickets.
Cllr Ó Riordáin said the majority of fans who attended games in Croke Park were responsible and well-behaved. "However, the litter and urination problem in the surrounding area after the games are a real concern to residents."
Mr McKenna said the GAA had spoken out in the past against public urination and had suggested that the penalty be made more severe as this was a public order offence.
Cllr Ó Riordáin said the €25,000 being spent by Dublin City Council "could be utilised more effectively in other areas of waste management in the local area".
However, Dublin City Manager John Fitzgerald said the Croke Park authorities made "a substantial contribution to Dublin City Council towards the clean up of the immediate vicinity of the stadium after matches".
In a written reply to a question from Cllr Ó Riordáin, Mr Fitzgerald said the council was using the large advertising screen at Croke Park on a pilot basis this year.
