Cleaning up the country

Madam, – I have just received a leaflet on the National Spring Clean promotion, inviting volunteers to to take part throughout…

Madam, – I have just received a leaflet on the National Spring Clean promotion, inviting volunteers to to take part throughout the month of April. There is a slogan “our litter . . . our responsibility”. The concept is highly laudable, but it is very sad that such a promotion is necessary.

In effect it is a call for people to do the job that government should be doing.

The failure to address the litter problem sends a signal that the authorities don’t truly care for and about the environment (for example, parts of the hedgerows and centre island of the N11 and the sliproads are extremely littered).

Of course the very act of littering is irresponsible and disappointing, but it is the responsibility of our Government to show leadership (an oxymoron?) in addressing the problem year-round rather than in one month only. – Yours, etc,

BRIAN ROSS,

Windgates,

Bray,

Co Wicklow.