Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Research indicates that pay-by-weight on a per kilogramme basis is the single most effective charging system for reducing the amount of waste produced by households and increasing the amount diverted from landfill. It has the potential to reduce average household waste by almost one third and to divert almost 500,000 tonnes away from landfill.

I take Deputy Catherine Murphy's point about culture change and introducing something new when people are already doing the right thing. However, I think there is a willingness to reduce, reuse and recycle. The issue of collection hours is covered by the collection permit. An interdepartmental group is currently examining the waiver scheme and it will report in a couple of weeks' time. In regard to people who have to drive long distances to recycling centres, curbside collection should reduce the need to bring material to recycling centres or landfill. This legislation aims to improve standards in this area. Large swathes of the population will no longer need to drive to recycling centres because curbside collection will be available to them.

I remind Deputy Paul Murphy that we are considering environment legislation. The Bill does not deal with industrial relations.

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