M J Nolan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Acting Chairman for his guidance.

I welcome the opportunity of speaking to the motion. In terms of a waiver for service charges, local authorities in the main have decided to privatise their waste service and in that capacity it is difficult for local authorities to impose a waiver on private contractors. I know that some local authorities are still carrying out waste collections and they have the wherewithal to provide a waiver if they so wish. However, most local authorities have decided that it is better policy to employ private waste collectors and in that context it is not easy for a government or a local authority to apply a waiver system.

If the Government were to look at the matter in general, the only manner in which such a system could be accommodated would be through an increase in child welfare benefit because large families would have a bigger waste problem than smaller families, or in the case of old age pensioners, perhaps through the social welfare system.

The motion as presented by the Opposition is unenforceable and unworkable. I commend the amendment tabled by the Government.

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