Council to tackle canal litter

DUBLIN City Council’s Waste Management Services are to install solar compactor bins along the Grand Canal in a bid to tackle the problem of litter that has caused outrage in recent months.

During the recent spells of good weather, large numbers of people have been congregating close to Portobello Bridge and along the banks of the canal.

Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Bay South, Jim O’Callaghan, said that while many of them are enjoying themselves and not breaking any laws, the problem is that others do not clean up after themselves.

“They have a complete disregard for residents in the area who are forced to put up with them urinating in public and often on their doorsteps,” Deputy O’Callaghan said.

“I understand that gardaí stationed in Pearse Street patrol the area to curb any anti-social behaviour but when evening comes it’s the residents of Portobello and Harold’s Cross who are left to deal with reams of unwanted rubbish.

“Only just recently a huge voluntary and community led effort was put in to cleaning up the canal as part of the Dublin Waters Day initiative to clean up the rivers and canals in our city. It is a terrible shame that the actions of those visiting the area when the sun is shining undo all that hard work.

“Piles of rubbish left strewn along the canal are not just unpleasant to look at and taint the landscape, they potentially pollute the water and endanger the wildlife that rely on it.

“It’s great that people can get together and enjoy the sun by the water at Portobello Bridge but they need to be more conscious of the environmental impact of their litter and general waste on our urban community.

“We all have a civic and personal responsibility to properly dispose of any waste we generate, whether that’s at home or in public, and those who ignore that should face repercussions.

“I have written to Dublin City Council to urge them to assign a number of litter wardens to monitor that area during good weather and who can issue on the spot litter fines.”

Deputy O’Callaghan added: “The bye-laws in place for the prevention and control of litter in our city must be better utilised and enforced to deter anyone from leaving their rubbish behind for others to collect.”

A council spokesperson said that extra solar compactor bins will be installed between Mespil Road and Portobello to provide significant additional capacity for litter generated during times of increased demand. 

“Given the concentration of activity at certain points when the canal area is exceptionally busy, additional beach barrel bins will also be provided at these locations to try to ensure the best possible litter management outcomes,” the spokesperson said.

“Extra cleaning and power washing will also be carried out. This area will be closely monitored by our cleaning crews and litter wardens and every effort will be made to keep this area as clean as possible over the coming months.”