Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I simply cannot agree with the Deputy's final point. Nothing in this report suggests there are deficiencies in the way litter is being collected or bins are being emptied. The report indicates that people are failing to use the weekly collection facilities. A small minority of people seem to be systematically dumping in areas where they can get away with it. That has nothing to do with the efficiency of bin lorries or segregation. Perhaps it indicates that some people do not understand the system and are not operating it properly. In a small minority of cases, people are not willing to co-operate. I agree with the Deputy that the Rediscovery Centre in Ballymun is a fantastic phenomenon. It emphasises prevention, reuse and recycling, which must be at the heart of our strategy. There must be an effective collection service that is used by people in an informed way. We need to see the collectors helping people to use their services more often and in a better and more informed manner. Dublin City Council is responsible for enforcement and effectiveness in this area. I think the council should consider these issues as it formulates its litter plan for 2019 and beyond. To give the council its due, we are seeing improvements in several parts of the city. This problem is not a universal one. The city council is not in the corner being pointed at. It has had many successes as well. Perhaps it is a question of refocusing on particular areas that have difficulty, such as Ballymun. In my own area, parts of Coolock are suffering from the same sorts of problems.

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