Seagulls have been raised in the Seanad again - with a call for a "repulsive spray" to keep the birds away from bags of rubbish in Dublin.

The issue was raised by the new Leas Cathaoirleach of the Upper House, Senator Paul Coghlan, who says the gulls do not seem to know anything about bedtime.

Last year, Senator Ned O'Sullivan raised horror stories of swooping seagulls taking ice-creams and lollipops from children.

He called for the environment minister to intervene and take action against gulls in Dublin - who he said were keeping people awake at night.

A tender was also advertised for a professional pest control company for a suitable deterrent system or process, to eliminate the birds from the roof of the Department of Health in Dublin.

Speaking today, Senator Coghlan says it is a serious issue, as bags of waste are left out for collection on Dublin streets.