Dublin’s Lord Mayor has promised to bring an end to bin bags as part of the City Council’s new litter strategy. 

The bags, which are used by many inner city households who lack the space for a conventional wheelie bin, are often ripped apart by hungry seagulls and rats - resulting in litter strewn across the street. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, Ray McAdam, who serves as Dublin’s Lord Mayor and is the Fine Gael candidate in the Dublin Central by-election, said getting rid of the bin bags was central to phase one of the new strategy. 

 “We’ve already rolled out phase one of that,” he said. 

“We've seen, as a result of phase one, approximately 20 tonnes of illegally dumped rubbish every month removed from the streets. 

“That means since the beginning of December, approximately 100 tonnes of illegally dumped rubbish has been removed from our streets - less than we would have been in the previous 12 month period.” 

Plastic bags full of litter on the North Lotts in Dublin. Picture by: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie.

The North Inner City Councillor said the council has a "responsibility to clean up Dublin” and plans to bring the number of staff on the cleaning team up to 565. 

“We’re going to have more staff, more street washing, better cleaning schedules and more use of technology,” he promised. 

“As well as stronger enforcement and clearer reporting. 

“For me, the test of this plan is not whether it reads, it’s whether people actually see cleaner streets across our city.”

Cllr McAdam said enforcement of fines for littering was also essential for a cleaner city. 

“The new legislation was passed recently that allows us to strengthen fines,” he said. 

“I believe the current €150 fine isn't strong enough, it isn't a strong enough deterrent against illegal dumping. 

“I've encouraged the city council now to increase that and I'd like them to go further. 

“But we're also making sure there is more CCTV being used in order to tackle those that are involved in illegal dumping on our streets.”

Main image: Litter bin bags in Dublin. Picture by: Alamy.com.