Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It has been designed to get the Taoiseach's detached Government off the hook, but it will not prevent further hardship or protect the most vulnerable. Ordinary people are getting another sharp reminder that they just cannot trust Fianna Fáil to do what is fair. The Government and its partners in Fianna Fáil collaborate to ensure punitive charges will be imposed on those who simply cannot pay. The Government is creating a free-for-all designed to serve the profit-chasing instincts of commercial operators. Many are frightened that an increase in waste collection charges will make them the bill that will make it impossible to make ends meet. They are not interested in the Taoiseach's choice of socks, rather they are interested in what he is going to do to ensure they will not be exposed to an increase in their waste collection charges. As of today, his answers to questions indicate that he will do absolutely nothing to help. It seems that he is happy that a free-for-all will ensue. Will he try to break through his fog of indifference and lack of empathy? Is he happy that those on low incomes, the sick, those living with disabilities and large families will suffer directly as a result of his decisions? Will he immediately withdraw this unfair charging system and put in place a waiver scheme for vulnerable citizens?

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