FAILURE to tackle the litter problem will have "serious consequences for job prospects in tourism, the food industry and foreign investment, a conference in Dublin was told.
Dr Tom Cavanagh said yesterday that Irish Business Against Litter, which he chairs, is determined to continue publicising the problem so that it would become a "key priority" for decision makers and the public.
The International Litter Conference was organised by IBAL.
The legislation on litter proposed by the Minister for the Environment, Mr Howlin, needed to be strengthened, he said. The number of litter wardens was insufficient a greater focus on prevention was needed; and there should be more frequent reviews of local authority performance.
"It is a simple fact of life that all the coaxing and encouragement in the world will not work if the implementation of this legislation is not taken seriously from the very beginning", Dr Cavanagh said. Ireland could lose its "clean and green" if it was not careful, he added.
Mr Michael Duffy, chief executive of An Bord Bia, said that if visiting food buyers left with the impression of a dirty, uncared for countryside, this could prove very expensive indeed" for the food industry.
"Visitors to Ireland expect to see a green and tidy countryside. If on the other hand the reality turns out to be a countryside where litter is commonplace . . . an indelible impression is made. No amount of marketing can erase that impression.
Mr Paul Tansey, managing partner of Tansey Webster economic consultants, said a profusion of litter "conjures up impressions of a weak civic culture, ineffectual public management and an uncaring citizenry." This could affect tourism expansion, foreign investment and the value of leading Irish brands.
Prof Frank Convery, national chairman of An Taisce, suggested a scheme modelled on the Blue Flag awards for beaches to reward communities which had been successful in tackling the litter problem.
Ms Marilyn Tiplon, of Keep America Beautiful Inc, said its community based activities in the US had contributed to a 50 per, cent reduction in litter For every dollar in government money invested in the programme, an average of $9.89 in clean up and associated costs was returned to the local community.
