Only 13 fines were issued across the whole of Dublin for dog fouling offences last year.

In November 2013 the Joint Dog Fouling Campaign saw €10,000 spent by all four Dublin local authorities to tackle this but only a handful of fines have since been issued by councils.

Bernie Lillis, Litter Prevention Officer with Dublin City Council, spoke to Lunchtime today and she claimed that it was a very difficult legislation to enforce.

"The person in charge must remove the foeces in a sanitary manner, the person in charge of the dog.

"It's very difficult for someone like a litter warden or a dog warden to come along and say, right well I noticed you didn't clean up after your dog. I'm going to issue you with a fine. Please give me your name and address.

"Obviously a person is not going to give a name and address."

She said they're trying to move towards a situation where they have to try encourage people and make them aware with education.

"It's very difficult to enforce and people know that."