3rd October 2002

PRESS RELEASE

GREEN PARTY CRITICISES LITTER FINE MADNESS

The Green Party has heavily criticised Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Council for issuing a litter fine to someone who left newspapers for recycling at a recycling bin.

Tanja Raab (T 087 996 7859) left her stacks of newspapers for recycling at the recycling bin located in the car park at the West pier in Dún Laoghaire. The bin was full and she stacked her newspapers alongside the over-flowing bin. She then received a littering ticket in the post. Her case is due in court on the 24th October.

"This is absolutely crazy," stated Green Party TD Ciarán Cuffe. "I am flabbergasted that a litter warden would do something like this. Have they no shame! The Irony is that Ms. Raab is a victim of the success of the recycling initiative

Mr. Cuffe has called on Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Council to completely review their policy on locations for targeting for litter offences.

Tanja Raab is a member of Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund.

ENDS

For further information contact:

Ciarán Cuffe, TD     087 265 2075 or 6183082