Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I will not accept an amendment that would compel any local authority which made waste charges under the new section 75 of the 1996 Act also to provide a mandatory system of waivers in respect of all or part of such charges. It would be a departure from the status quo that would not be useful or necessary.

Currently local authorities are not under an obligation to provide for waivers in respect of waste charges. The provisions of section 75(3) of the 1996 Act are identical to those of section 5 of the Local Government (Financial Provisions) (No. 2) Act 1983 under which waste charges are currently levied. Accordingly, local authorities will retain discretion in the matter.