Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I agree with Senator Mansergh. I applaud the Lord Mayor of Dublin for his action. I agree with him when he said, "No taxation without representation." If we make the imposition of charges an executive function, managers will use them to prop up other services.

I read the Minister's comments with regard to the cost per tonne. In our county, we use surplus funding from the charges towards other services. I note that while the charges will be an executive function there is provision in the Bill requiring a landfill operator to levy such landfill charges "as to ensure recovery of the full cost of the facility concerned". I do not disagree with that, but if it is included in the Bill why should it be necessary for the manager to be given the right to make the charge? If that is a reserved function, am I right in saying there is a statutory obligation on councillors to ensure they comply with it, which means that the charge levied must recover the cost of the service and the landfill operation?