New figures released by Dublin City Council show that the paying rate for on-the-spot fines stands at just under one-third. Out of a total of 10,815 on-thespot fines issued by council officials and gardai, just 3,315 were paid. Councillors have claimed that the figures make a joke of the get-tough policy on littering in the capital city.

Of the total number of fines issued, just 19 . . . or 0.1% . . . were issued by gardai. The figures, from 2005, are the most up-to-date figures available, and also show that while 239 prosecutions for littering were initiated, just 62 convictions were secured.

The figures also show that just six people were issued on-the-spot fines for failing to clean up after their dog.

Labour councillor Kevin Humphreys has described the figures as "ridiculous" and says that all dog owners who fail to clean up after their pet should be fined and not just warned.

According to Humphreys, the council is losing money on the litter warden programme. Judging by the amount of littering on the streets, litter wardens should be taking in more than enough money through onthe-spot fines to cover their wages, he says. "Dublin's record on litter is pretty miserable, " he says. "We have made improvements over the last two or three years but there is a long way to go. It is ridiculous that so few people have received fines for failing to cleanup after their dogs. Anybody who is found not to clean up after their pet should be fined. Some streets in Dublin have a major problem with this . . . they are like minefields".

The majority of the on-the-spot fines issued for littering were to individuals, including those found to have thrown cigarette butts out of car windows. By producing car vehicle registrations, the council have managed to secure convictions against a number of people for throwing rubbish, including butts, from their cars.

One judge did throw out a case, however, after litter wardens failed to produce the butt in court.

Businesses are also liable for fines for failing to clean the area in front of their premises, or for putting waste collection bins out on the pavement too early. Dublin City Council has introduced a 'name and shame' policy and publishes the names of those convicted for littering on a quarterly basis.