O’Shea Welcomes Increase in Litter Fines to €250

Fine Gael TD for Cork North West says stronger enforcement will help protect local communities and public spaces

Deputy John Paul O’Shea TD has welcomed the commencement of increased litter fines, with the fixed-payment, on-the-spot fine for littering increasing from €150 to €250 from today, 1 September 2026. Deputy O’Shea said the increase sends a clear message that littering is unacceptable and that those who deliberately discard waste in public places must take responsibility for their actions.

Deputy O’Shea said “I welcome the increase in the litter fine from €150 to €250, which comes into effect today. Littering has a real impact on communities across Cork North West. Our local communities work extremely hard to maintain tidy villages, towns, parks, roadsides and public spaces, and it is completely unfair when the actions of a small minority undermine that work.

“There must be consequences for people who deliberately litter. The increased fine reinforces the simple principle that the polluter should pay, rather than leaving the cost of cleaning up litter to local authorities and ultimately to taxpayers. However, enforcement is only one part of the solution. We also need to continue to educate people about the importance of disposing of their waste responsibly. If there is no bin nearby, the message is simple – bin it or bring it home.”

Deputy O’Shea said keeping communities clean is a shared responsibility and that cleaner streets, parks, beaches and public areas make a significant difference to quality of life.

“Across Cork North West, we have fantastic community groups and volunteers who take enormous pride in their local areas and regularly organise clean-ups and other initiatives to keep their communities looking their best. These volunteers should not have to constantly deal with litter left behind by others. We need everyone to play their part. I also welcome the continued focus on tackling dog fouling and providing local authorities with the infrastructure and resources they need to address this issue effectively.

“Cleaner communities are better places to live, work and visit. They also support local tourism, protect our environment and strengthen community pride.

“The increased €250 fine is an important step, but we must continue to combine enforcement with education, investment and community action. Working together, we can keep Cork North West and communities right across the country cleaner, healthier and more attractive places to live.

The National Litter Pollution Monitoring System (NLPMS) has been operating since 1999 and provides annual data on litter pollution trends nationwide. The system enables local authorities to monitor changes in the extent and composition of litter pollution in their areas and supports more effective litter management planning. The 2025 NLPMS showed continued improvements in litter levels across Ireland.