Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I do not think the Minister of State answered the points I raised. We are seeking to have waste legally, properly and safely disposed of. That is why there are licensing and regulatory regimes in place. The Government is leaving itself open in this legislation to rogue operators who would undercut those already in the industry, those who have bona fide credentials, a good track record which shows they do their job properly, who pay proper wages and are fully tax compliant.

This section, as drafted, will allow anyone to apply for a contract to dispose of waste. What happens if that person is not licensed and undercuts the bona fide operators to win the contract but, it is discovered later, they are not operating to the highest standards. The contract would then have to be re-tendered. The Government could head this one off at the pass to keep the cowboys out of the waste industry and ensure safe waste disposal.