Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I raise with the Taoiseach the commitment to protect the environment in the programme for Government. Perhaps he saw the recent "RTÉ Investigates" programme, "Ireland's Wild Waste". It is more like the Wild West. The side by side competition and privatisation model in Ireland is chaotic and has been shown to be failing in protecting the environment. Ireland has one of the best records for separating waste in Europe. Householders are doing their piece and paying dearly for having their waste removed. However, some waste companies are involved in criminal behaviour. All sides of the House are concerned about this, as we should be. The maximum fine of €2,500 is akin to fining a Member of the Oireachtas €10. The culprits are laughing because there is no penalty or substantial deterrent in place for waste companies. I raised this issue with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten. I now put it to the Taoiseach that we need greater local authority control over waste management. We also need to streamline enforcement, which is currently a patchwork.

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