Dublin Chamber of Commerce wants to raise the issue of aggressive begging with the Lord Mayor.

It follows reports that high-spending tourists are being put off coming here because of the problem.

A shopowner in Temple Bar claims a London property developer told him he liked Ireland, but wouldnt come here again because he was so put off by it.

Chamber spokesperson Andrew Smith said: "Legislation was brought in in 2011 against aggressive begging and it seemed to be working.

"Obviously this report is concerning and we will raise it at the next Lord Mayor's meeting.

"We want Dublin to be a city where shoppers and tourists will return."