Jimmy Devins (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I am delighted to have this opportunity to speak on this Private Members' motion. It is a topic of immense importance as it affects every householder in the country.

Last night, the Minister outlined clearly the reason charges for collection of waste should remain the prerogative of local authorities. We hear many complaints about the fact that this country is becoming a very centralised State and that local authorities have very little power. That is a premise with which I do not agree. In fact, I strongly support the right of local authorities to govern their own areas. Traditionally, local authorities have had control of waste collection and it is important that continues into the future.

It would appear that different local authorities are using very different systems for waste collection. The area I know best is Sligo where Sligo County Council privatised the collection of waste some years ago. It is a system that is working well but only for the reason that the public have actively embraced the principles of reuse and recycling.

The Minister stated clearly that he is fully behind the polluter pays principle. In my experience, most members of the public agree with that principle and, as a result, the frequency with which a household needs to have its waste collected and the amount of waste it puts out for collection has dramatically reduced in recent years.

It is noticeable also that there has been a significant increase in the number of people using their local recycling depots. In that regard, the depot on the deep water quay in Sligo has become very busy. However, some users have complained to me that the recent imposition of a nominal charge of €2 per car load, which is by no means a heavy burden, has acted as a deterrent to some people. This is especially true of elderly people who are living alone and are in the habit of taking small loads to the recycling depot. I appeal to the owners of that depot and to Sligo County Council to revisit this issue and perhaps devise a more equitable system that can take account of all situations.

I commend the Government on the massive increase in the local government fund, which this year is a staggering €817 million. This fund is described as discretionary because each local authority has discretion to use the fund as it sees fit. In that regard, it is a suitable vehicle for the application of the various waiver schemes to ensure that those who cannot afford to pay for their waste collection are not unfairly penalised.

I thank the Minister for providing funding to Sligo County Council recently to enable a green recycling area to be established at Ballysadare. In conjunction with a local community council, which is providing much needed sports facilities, a state-of-the-art facility for green waste will be operational very soon and will provide a much needed facility for the people in my constituency. I commend the Minister's amendment to the motion to the House.

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