More support for clean-ups urged


The Government must do more to encourage a private sector initiative aimed at cleaning up main routes across Ireland, an anti-litter group has said.


Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) made the call as it launched its annual litter league for town and cities.


IBAL accused the coalition of failing to support an "Adopt a Road" scheme, which would see businesses sponsor clean-ups along national routes.


IBAL chairman, Dr Tom Cavanagh, noted that the initiative had been successful in other nations.


"Encouraging the private sector to finance the clean-up of main routes is a well-established concept in other countries," he said.


"We should have it here - many of our roadsides suffer from litter and the county councils have no funds from the NRA (National


Roads Authority) to remedy this. Fine Gael were calling for such schemes when in opposition. Now that they are really needed, there's a clear lack of commitment to them."


Dr Cavanagh said there were localised road sponsorship efforts in Ireland, and pointed to one involving Ballymaloe Foods near Midleton, Cork. But he said a national approach was necessary.


"There is support at a local authority level, but Adopt a Road needs to be driven by central government nationally to have any impact," said Dr Cavanagh. "It's about finding businesses to fund it on a scale that will cover large tracts of our national road network."


Change law to stop strikes disrupting key public services


In advance of its Annual Employment Law Conference in Clontarf Castle, IBEC, the group that represents Irish business, called for the reform of Irish labour law to minimise the disruption of essential pubic services, such as public transport, health and education, during industrial disputes. IBEC called for new legal provisions that would guarantee the delivery of key services and provide more time to resolve a dispute, even after a ballot for strike action.


IBEC Director, Brendan McGinty, said: “Disputes are best resolved through negotiation, not in court or on the picket line. This is particularly important when industrial action disrupts key public services, like we saw recently in the transport sector, causing massive disruption to the travelling public and the economic life of the country.


06 | NEWSFLASH


"It is time to reform our laws in respect of union ballots so that once a ballot result has been announced, and a strike called, unions and employers still have time to negotiate a resolution. The notice period for industrial action should increase from seven to 14 days after the ballot takes place.


"It is vital that industrial unrest does not undermine the economic recovery. In recent years we have generally succeeded in resolving disputes through negotiation, without recourse to industrial action. This approach is important when it comes to rebuilding our international reputation, attracting inward investment and creating jobs. It would be incredibly damaging if this changed. Ireland is now on a sustainable path to recovery. We are 85% through the austerity programme, it is vital that we stay the course."


IBEC called for a range of reforms to minimise the disruption to essential services at a time of industrial unrest:


• Legislative underpinning of the existing code of practice on dispute procedures relating to essential services (S.I. No 1 of 1992).


• Consideration of a no-strike policy in essential services that are strategically important to the running of the country.


• The introduction of a “proportionality” test, to ensure that industrial action is legitimate, appropriate and not excessive.


• Legal sanctions, including a review of a trade union's negotiation licence and financial penalties, where such provisions are not adhered to.


www.tomorrowscleaningireland.com


This year is the 12th IBAL Litter League. Forty-two towns and cities across Ireland will be monitored for cleanliness levels over the course of the year. Last year 80% were found to be as clean as or cleaner than the European norm, with Kilkenny being deemed the cleanest. New entrants for 2013 include Leixlip, Midleton, Newbridge and Blackpool/ Shandon in Cork.


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