Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

He should not be surprised now if the consequence of his actions is that Dublin City Council and the other local authorities ended up privatising their services.

In respect of this privatisation and the transfer of services to a private company, there have been big problems in the transition. I have already stated that 18,000 householders are experiencing difficulties with their waste collection service. That is being dealt with. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has clearly stated his position on it and I set out the Government's position this morning. That company should exercise flexibility at this point in time in respect of the collection of the waste and arrangements for payment. I have also made it clear that, in the event of this not happening, the Government has indicated its alternative approach to the future of the waste collection service.

The Government is discharging its responsibilities for this matter and it is time that Deputy Higgins took some responsibility for his own actions and the consequences of his role in the privatisation of the bin collection service.

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