Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

In most of the media today, there have been comments that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is proposing to instruct local authorities to introduce charges for civic bring centres. This is rather odd, as it is meant to be Government policy that we allow and empower local authorities to make decisions over their affairs and operate within their budgets. This is one of the common problems with the property tax because no one quite knows what they are paying it for or quite understands the autonomy of local authorities to manage their affairs in a professional way.

I believe in water and waste charges. The difference is I believe in fair water and waste charges, with the services being given to people explained to them. There is a massive fiasco about waste with many people jumping for headlines and publicity, stating they are against this or that. We have to pay for services. People need to get real about this. It seems to be the in-thing to say one is against everything. I am in favour of water and bin charges. One gives a good service and explains the costs while not ripping people off.

Will the Leader arrange for the Minister, when he comes into the Seanad tomorrow for the debate on waste charges, to explain his intention in suggesting or directing that local authorities charge for citizens who take the trouble to manage their waste and take it to a civic bring centre? These are the people who are proactive in segregating and managing their waste. I would be against any charge for such a service.