I spoke about Waterford earlier but shortly after I was elected to Kilkenny County Council three years ago we engaged in a fairly thorough process of drawing up a waste management plan for the county. Following months of negotiation between councillors and management we came up with a plan that was acceptable to everyone. I object to the principle that the Minister would remove the power to draft waste management plans from councillors. When given the responsibility, councillors have shown that they can make difficult decisions when necessary. This move is a backward step.