Sir, - Having returned to Ireland with my husband and two small children, we enjoyed a holiday of mixed weather, and we were delighted to see the progress that has been made in the country and the obvious affluence which Ireland now enjoys. However, despite this affluence, we were horrified at the level of litter around the country.
En route from Kerry to Dublin we decided to spend a day in Limerick, have lunch, visit the Hunt Museum, and do some shopping. After parking, we went walking around the town. The place was so dirty that 10 minutes later we decided to leave Limerick. Unfortunately, I suspect other visitors do the same thing.
During our stay in Dublin, we went walking around the city with our Irish friends. Again we were horrified at the level of litter, especially along the Grand Canal. Beer cans, plastic bags and fast food cartons littered both the banks and the canal itself. Our children were enchanted by the ducks with their ducklings, but a little disheartened to see them trying to navigate around this unsightly mess. We questioned our Irish friend about the reason for the high level of litter. He pointed to a building across the road, and we were astonished to hear him say: "that is the head office of Bord Failte. They are the people who every day pass by this litter to sit in their offices and endeavour to dream up ideas to sell Ireland as a green and pleasant land."
I would like, through your newspaper, to ask the chief executive of Bord Failte two questions: What have they done about the litter problem on their doorstep? And secondly, could he answer the question of one young visitor who asked her mother: "I loved my holiday in Ireland, but why is the place so dirty?"
Ireland is such a beautiful country with the best hospitality in the world. It is such a shame that this problem is not being addressed. - Yours, etc.,
Sarah M. Ryan, c/o St Aubyn's Court, Killiney, Co Dublin.