A co-ordinated strategy to deal with the problem of graffiti in Dublin was demanded by Green Party TD John Gormley.
He said that the Garda, Dublin City Council, Dublin Chamber of Commerce and residents' associations should unite on the issue.
"It would appear that we have no specific graffiti offence in Irish law. Nor has the Minister any intention to introduce any specific legislation. We have been informed by the Minister for Justice that the Criminal Damage Act 1991 and the Litter Pollution Act 1997 cover the offence of the graffiti, but it is not at all clear how many people were actually convicted for graffiti vandalism last year."
Mr Gormley said there was a need for legislation to deal with graffiti vandalism, adding that the problem was getting worse.
"Local authorities are only now becoming aware that there is a serious problem, but they simply do not have the resources or, indeed, the legislation to tackle it properly."
He urged the Government to look at how the authorities in New York and New South Wales were dealing with the problem.
"Some of their innovative approaches include providing incentives for citizens to use protective [ wall] coatings to minimise the damage caused by graffiti, revoking graffiti offenders' driving licences, banning the sale of paint to minors and the possession of spray paint in public places and, of course, the rapid removal or painting over of graffiti once it is discovered."
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell, deputising for Minister for the Environment Dick Roche, agreed that graffiti was a problem in Dublin South East, which he and Mr Gormley both represent as TDs.
He added that under the Litter Pollution Act 1997-2003, primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to litter pollution, including the defacement of structures by writing or other marks, lay with local authorities.
