On-the-spot litter fine system is ‘not a deterrent’

NEARLY half of on-the-spot litter fines issued are struck off by local authorities, according to Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL).

A total of 27,078 fines were issued last year, but just 12,521 of these on-the-spot fines were paid. IBAL has sharply criticised the Department of the Environment for not enforcing litter legislation.

On-the-spot fines are normally handed out for acts of littering such as spitting chewing gum on the street but more serious litter offences, such as dumping household or commercial waste, are generally followed by a prosecution. Last year, a mere 2,668 people or companies were prosecuted for littering and little more than a quarter of these, 557, were convicted of littering offences.