Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 17: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there has been a rationalisation impact assessment of household waste collection; and if he intends to introduce a bill to introduce competitive tendering for household waste collection, under which 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 under the system of market structuring known as franchise bidding. [37557/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce competitive tendering for household waste collection, under which 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.

A public consultation designed to inform policy development concluded in September 2011. A large number of responses were received from a broad spectrum of interests. As one might expect, a consensus is not apparent and on almost all of the relevant issues, a considerable breadth of opinion was expressed. Many responses cited concerns such as the potentially adverse impact of franchise bidding on waste collection firms and the loss of the benefits of ongoing, side-by-side competition. Other responses pointed to the possible significant savings for householders and the potential for improved environmental outcomes if franchise bidding were introduced.

All of the responses received, in addition to a summary document, are available on my Department's website.

The responses are being examined and I intend to conclude examination of the issue in the coming weeks. A Regulatory Impact Assessment, which will inform Government's deliberations, is also being prepared. I expect to be in a position to submit final proposals to Government very early in the New Year. The nature and extent of any legislative requirements will depend on the outcome of the policy development process.