The Seanad has heard calls for a "repulsive spray" to be used to keep 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 seagulls don't 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.

Senator Coghlan says it's a serious issue as bags of waste are left out for collection on Dublin streets: