Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is an incorrect analysis. The issue is how certain companies are behaving. This is a competitive market. If this is seen as taking advantage, the Minister will introduce regulations if necessary.

In the first instance, however, he is meeting with the companies next week and is dealing with this as an urgent issue. We accept it is an urgent issue. We do not wish to see consumers being exploited in any way in this change of policy to pay-by-weight. As I said, this policy was intended to reduce costs for householders and this was the spirit behind the legislation. We must ensure it works in that way because it would be right for the environment and for consumers if we reduce the cost for them in managing their waste. That was the intention and spirit behind the legislation. It was certainly not to see excessive and extra costs being put on consumers.

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