Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The first matter for clarification is the Taoiseach's statement today that it could be up to 15 months before this kicks in. From what I am hearing around the country - I know other Deputies will speak to this later - some of the providers have already told customers that when the contracts are up, they are ready to go. It is a matter of divide and conquer.

There is much consternation around the country, especially in rural areas. As everybody knows, if one lives in a rural part of Ireland, it costs more when compared with the more numerous houses in urban areas. If a pay-by-weight system is used and bills increase, the amount of dumping in rural areas would increase. It is human nature. When the former Minister, Deputy Coveney, announced the changes to waste collection some time ago, any rural Deputy going around the country could see the by-roads and bog roads filling again. The Minister put money into trying to solve that problem but, unfortunately, it was not solved. Many community groups put much work into trying to make areas better but, unfortunately, with the proposed system, we will see the same thing again. The councils need to ensure the recycling centres get more resources to encourage people to use them. With regard to brown bins being provided where there are more than 500 people in an area, does this refer to a town, a parish or village?

I have listened to many motions being debated. A motion was passed that we would not sell the shares in AIB but a few weeks later we read in the newspapers that the shares were to be sold anyway. I do not know the value of a motion. Nevertheless, it is clear that the message followed by people in all parts of Ireland and in the majority in this Dáil is that this is not a good idea. Will Fianna Fáil bring the Government to the top of the hill before letting it slide down again or will we finally, for once in our lives, stand up and be counted as politicians?

See this speech in context