Most Irish cities are either heavily or very heavily littered, according to a new survey by environmental charity An Taisce.
Among the worst offenders are Sligo, Swords, Galway, Wexford, Navan and Dublin city centre - which all fall into the "very heavily littered" category.
Cork, Ballina, Bray, Drogheda and Newbridge are among the towns and cities described as "very heavily littered". Only Cavan, Kilrush and Fermoy escape with a "litter-free" citation.
The survey was carried out for the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) alliance, which represents more than 30 member firms. IBAL said the results were very disappointing.
"Of the towns that competed in 2002, 14 have seen a deterioration in litter levels in the last six months, while only seven have improved," said the group.
In all, 30 areas are being assessed by An Taisce this year, including, for the first time, the major urban centres of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.
Dr Tom Cavanagh, chairman of IBAL said the results show "just how far we are from the pristine city streets that are commonplace on the continent".
Dr Cavanagh also condemned Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann, accusing the public transport companies of failing to keep stations free of litter. He said they were not being maintained according to the levels of cleanliness and hygiene that commuters deserve.