THE Mayor of Ennis has urged people to pick up their litter following the success of the county capital in this year’s Irish Business Against Litter survey.
The first post-lockdown survey by IBAL showed Ennis in third position in the ranking of 40 areas nationwide. The county capital was one of eight areas across the country to be deemed ‘cleaner than European norms’.
The success of Ennis in this national survey comes just weeks ahead of the announcement of this year’s Tidy Towns competition results. Speaking at the monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Mayor of Ennis Councillor Ann Norton paid tribute to the outdoor staff of Clare County Council and the volunteers of Ennis Tidy Towns for their efforts in keeping the town looking its best.
“We are extremely lucky that everybody in Ennis is extremely proud of their town and the work that is being done,” she said. She pointed to colourful displays of flowers saying “amazing credit is due to everybody who works to support the town”.
“I would encourage as many people as possible to pick up their litter as they are going through the town,” she said adding, “It is important that people respect the volunteers that work continuously within our town with Ennis Tidy Towns and the exceptional work that has been done by the gardening section of the council.”
Councillor Mary Howard, a member of Ennis Tidy Towns, also welcomed the IBAL results and paid tribute to the volunteers and council workers.
“Ennis Tidy Towns do a huge amount of work in collaboration with the community. The Tidy Towns results are coming out and fingers crossed we are hoping, but we are also hopeful for the groups throughout the county.
“Tidy Towns is the best initiative ever introduced in this country, to see the pride it gives and the good it does people’s mental health. It is just so good and positive and I wish the best of luck to all the Tidy Towns committees.”
Councillor Johnny Flynn described IBAL as a “huge success throughout the country” as he stressed the importance of independent assessment of cleanliness.