Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

The Minister will be aware that I was a member of South Dublin County Council for 12 years. After many years of effort, we eventually implemented the polluter pays principle which, as the Minister's response demonstrates, is the only acceptable solution to waste management. I was horrified to learn recently that many of my constituents in Dublin Mid-West and throughout the south Dublin area have received notices from Greyhound, which succeeded South Dublin County Council in providing waste collection services, about its intention to impose an annual administrative fee. Not only does this outrageous development represent a retrograde step but it was given at such short notice that the many people who are have lost jobs or suffered loss of income will be hard-pressed to pay the fee in addition to their regular collection charges. The fee is not environmentally friendly because it is against the polluter pays principle and I ask the Minister to send a clear message that it is not acceptable.

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