Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)

I will make a brief contribution in support of this motion. In the context of this debate, both in the House and throughout the country, we need a little honesty if at all possible. The reality is very clear. The Government introduced the legislation in 2003 that took the power to set charges from elected members and gave it to an unelected person, the county manager. In my county council area, the vast majority of people have come to a realisation that, in the context of waste charges, they are prepared to make a contribution. However, they will not be taken for granted.

One of the great problems in this regard is that we will get a situation where the county manager, with the power granted him by the Government, will embark on massive increases in charges of 20%, 30% or 40% annually. That will not be accepted by the electorate. Regarding a uniform waiver system, in Fingal we have a system that works very well. If one does not pay tax, one is entitled to a waiver. In general, that is relatively fair. It can be examined and amended but a major problem is the lack of uniformity throughout the country, particularly in areas where Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats have a majority — they do not have a majority now so I hope it will not happen — in that their priority is privatisation. When privatisation takes place, there is no mechanism at local or national level for a waiver. The Minister has the support of the working people to introduce a fair waiver system. The case for such a system is clear. With this motion the Minister has the support of the Labour Party and the other Members of this House. The Minister should deliver on it.

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