Call to double budget for litter problem

THE National Roads Authority (NRA) has called for the country’s road maintenance budget to be more than doubled to ensure real action to tackle litter on tourist thoroughfares.

Speaking after a new nationwide study by the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) group found “appalling” levels of rubbish tipped across vital entry points to Ireland, an NRA spokesperson said the current €44 million maintenance budget was inadequate.

According to the official, the existing budget is not confined only to funding anti-litter projects, but instead addresses a series of road issues, such as de-icing, repair work and barrier replacements.