Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

With all due respect, that was a rubbish answer. I asked the Taoiseach a straightforward question as to whether he would make a commitment that new regulations or legislation - in other words, a statutory instrument - to deal with this debacle would be introduced this week and he ignored that question.

The fact is that households cannot afford these additional charges. A working couple without children, currently paying by weight and who recycle and compost, will not save money under the new scheme. One bin company will increase this couple's standing charge by 108% and the annual cost for their waste services will jump from €84 to €140. That is a 66% increase. Such people do not need 12 months to think about all of that. They know where they stand on this issue.

Households understand what it means to be ripped off. If the Taoiseach is really about new politics, why does he not make a commitment to bring in new regulations to prevent bin companies from hiking up charges, this year, next year or any year after that?

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