Public urged not to litter beaches
SUMMER STAFF WILL NOT BE EMPLOYED
Paul D'arcy (left), Andrew Cassin, Tom O'Shaughnessy and Billy O'Dea at the Skerries golf classic.
Wednesday May 27 2009
AN appeal has gone out to members of the public to respect the county's beaches this summer and clean up after themselves because the council will not have the level of staff it has in previous years to maintain beaches.
In previous years the local authority's environment department has employed temporary general operatives to maintain the county's beaches but due to 'budgetary constraints' it says it will not be possible to engage summer staff this year to litter pick beaches during the season.
The council says it is currently developing a works programme which will allow for some maintenance to be undertaken from within existing resources. The environment department said: ' We would appeal to the public using our beaches to respect them and to ensure that they leave no litter behind, so that everyone can enjoy these amenities.
'As always we will provide support to local community groups who are organising clean-ups in their area and on their local beach during the summer through the provision of bags and gloves and will remove any litter gathered by them.' The department was responding to a motion laid down by Cllr Peter Coyle (Lab), asking for details of how beach maintenance would be carried out this year. The environment department said its litter management unit can be contacted on 8906799 for further information for communities wishing to help maintain their local beaches.
- John MANNING
