Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

If I hear the Minister correctly he says he will give more money to the local authorities to help them deal with the problem. In parts of Laois where people used to dump rubbish in ditches and drains they are now dumping it on the hard shoulders. There was a black sack in the middle of the road near Ballybrittas after Christmas.

The best way to help households is to stop the production chain. Pay by weight is a problem for low income households, particularly those who have heavy waste, those where there are young children, disabled people or large families. That has to be factored into any new pricing structure. It is too late if we start with the householder because the packaging has already been produced. We need to deal with the manufacturer, the wholesaler and the retailer in order not to have to bring home packaging. I had to argue with a shopkeeper recently when I bought a pair of shoes. The shopkeeper told me I had to take the box. I did not want the box. All I wanted was the pair of shoes and laces to tie them. I almost had to have an argument to get the shopkeeper to hold on to the box. That is what we need to stop.

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