A LABOUR Party candidate for Tralee MD in the upcoming local elections has expressed disappointment with the recent figures released by Kerry County Council regarding the enforcement of littering fines, particularly for dog fouling.

“The figures released by Kerry County Council are disappointing,” said Mr Slimm. “For the period from April 30, 2023, to April 30, 2024, only 48 fines were issued in the Tralee Area for littering.”

“Even more concerning is that only four of these fines were for dog fouling. I received this information following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. This does not reflect the severity of the problem we face in Tralee. Our community deserves better enforcement to maintain clean and safe public spaces,” he added.

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Mr Slimm said the Labour Party has been advocating for the re-municipalisation of waste management, a policy he believes is critical to addressing these issues more effectively.

“Re-municipalising waste management would allow for greater accountability and control at local level, ensuring that our public areas are kept clean and that offenders are held responsible,” he continued .

The issue of dog fouling, in particular, is a persistent problem in Tralee said Mr Slimm.

“Dog fouling is not just an eyesore; it poses significant health risks, especially to children. The current approach is simply not working, and we need a more robust strategy to tackle this issue head-on,” he said.

Mr Slimm said the Labour Party’s policy aims to bring waste management back under public control.  This includes increasing the number of litter wardens, improving public awareness campaigns, and implementing stricter penalties for offenders.

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