The Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, has said that Ireland is fast gaining the reputation of being the "litter lout of Europe" and has urged all local authorities to take the strongest possible action to curb litter.
At the launch of a new litter-management plan in Co Clare yesterday, Mr Dempsey said Ireland's image abroad was "taking a battering over the litter issue".
Recent surveys of the coast had found extensive littering in most areas and "growing public concern about the litter problem is reflected on a regular basis in the columns of our newspapers and elsewhere".
Litter eradication was one of his priorities, he said, as could be seen by measures such as the increase in the on-the-spot fine for alleged offences under the 1997 Litter Pollution Act from £25 to £50 and a £1 million grant to aid local authorities with anti-litter initiatives.
For the Government's efforts to achieve a "litter-free Ireland" to be ultimately successful, however, Mr Dempsey said it was "vital that local authorities take the strongest possible action" to curb litter.
"In particular, I am especially keen that local authorities take the lead role at local level by using to the full their powers - and exercising to the full their duties - under the Litter Pollution Act."
The Minister held up the county council's litter management plan as being an important part of this process, as the Litter Pollution Act requires councils to produce such plans.
Under the plan, fast-food outlets will be asked to clean up outside their premises or face the rigours of the Act and efforts will be made to raise the awareness of post-primary students of the litter problem.
In addition, extra recycling facilities will be provided throughout the county and a dedicated unit within the council will be established to carry out the plan.
An environmental education officer and second environmental patrol warden will be appointed.