More than 350 people have been convicted of littering in the first half of 1999 while 8,500 on-the-spot fines were issued and 300 litter wardens were appointed, according to the Minister of State for the Environment, Mr Danny Wallace.

He defended the Government's role in dealing with litter pollution, but Mr Eamon Gilmore, Labour's environment spokesman, accused the Minister of failing to do his job because "the country is filthy with litter" and "we are a disgrace in Europe due to the amount of litter scattered all over the countryside".

He also demanded Government action to ensure the local authorities carried out their functions in dealing with litter. Mr Gilmore said: "They are not sweeping the streets or providing litter bins. Where bins are provided they are not being emptied and local authorities do not appear to be enforcing the litter laws with any effect".

Mr Wallace, however, said that local authority members, particularly those who were TDs should be more proactive on this issue and asked whether councillors had discussed litter management plans or put pressure on local authority managers and officials. He said the House passed legislation "and it is up to local authorities to enforce it".

Mr Gilmore said it was the Minister's job to provide leadership to ensure the local authorities carried out their functions.