Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I add my voice to those who request a debate on the waste collection issue. It is remiss of the House not to acknowledge the crisis in waste management. Waste management strategies of various local authorities have been given an added bump by the Government. The former Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, took the decision-making ability to set waste disposal charges from elected members of local authorities. The role of local government was depleted while adding a bureaucratic layer of dictatorship that decided the price of refuse collection, with a like it or lump it attitude. The same local authorities have failed miserably in providing alternate methods of recycling. I would welcome a debate on this topic.