An anti-litter business group has described the enforcement of litter laws in Ireland as "no more than a token exercise".
The Irish Business Against Litter group (IBAL) was critical of figures issued by the Department of the Environment that show prosecutions for litter offences average only 2 per month per Local Authority area.
The rate of convictions for litter offences has fallen by 16 per cent, resulting in the successful prosecution of a quarter of cases brought before the courts.
The Government report also reveals that only 40 per cent of local authorities employ a full-time litter warden.
According to Dr Tom Cavanagh of IBAL, the lack of prosecutions is the most telling statistic: "On-the-spot fining is a random and costly means of tackling litter. Prosecuting pubs, supermarkets and take-aways for breaching the Litter Act is far more impactful. The stats prove this isn't happening.
"Litter wardens are lacking, or where they are present, they are too reluctant to face up to local businesses," he said.
Under the Litter Act, commercial establishments are responsible for the visual areas inside their premises, as well the outside surrounding areas, including pavements - irrespective of the source of the litter.