Cleaning up the country

Madam, – I see Minister for the Environment John Gormley is thinking of having the “chewing gum industry” pay for cleaning the gum from the streets (April 27th). Does he realise what a cash cow this could be for the Government and how it could end all the litter problems complained about constantly in your columns. I can see it is only a matter of time until he realises that the drink companies can likewise be levied to clean up the cans and broken bottles as well as the mess and litter caused by binge drinking.

Then he can move on to the tobacco companies to fund removing all the discarded cigarette butts and packets. Where will it all end? The sky’s the limit! – Yours etc,

WALTER de LACY,

Oughterard,

Co Galway.