Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I do not disagree with the Deputy's last point. Everybody is aware that this issue can be difficult for some people. I have some experience with the matter because I dealt with it when I was Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. This is a matter for the local authorities. Some local authorities operate good waiver schemes, and not simply where the authorities operate a public refuse collection service. In some areas private contractors are involved in a waiver scheme. It is not an excuse for local authorities to suggest that because they have privatised the service they cannot operate a waiver scheme.

The local authorities have all the necessary powers to operate waiver schemes in their areas. It is a matter on which local councillors in the local authorities should make the decision. They can do it by involving themselves in the estimates process. It is wrong that there should be differences throughout the country, whereby good waiver schemes are operated in some areas, urban and rural, while there are none in other areas. This is an issue on which local councillors should step up to the plate. We are regularly accused of taking power away from local authorities and giving it to central government. Councillors, particularly when estimates are being drafted, should put this issue to bed once and for all by demanding, through motions and submissions, the introduction of waiver schemes in their areas. That is local autonomy. This is a local issue that is better looked after at local government level.

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