Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider the views of a business person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35006/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce competitive tendering for household waste collection, whereby service providers would bid to provide waste collection services in a given area, for a given period of time and to a guaranteed level of service. This system is known as franchise bidding.

A public consultation designed to inform the policy development process concluded in September. A large number of responses were received, including many from the waste collection industry which raise points similar to those mentioned in the correspondence referred to, such as the potentially adverse impact of franchise bidding on waste collection firms and the benefits of ongoing competition in the current system of side-by-side competition. Other responses point to the possible significant savings for householders and the potential for improved environmental outcomes if franchise bidding were to be introduced. I intend to publish all of the responses received on my Department's website shortly.

The responses are currently being examined and I intend to conclude examination of the issue before the end of the year. All policy proposals will be carefully considered by Government, which will take account of the full range of issues and perspectives.