I propose to take Questions Nos. 485 to 487, inclusive, together.
The Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007 (as amended) came into operation on 1 June 2008 and replaced the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations, 2001. The regulations provide for a system of permitting by local authorities of commercial waste collection activities and set out procedures for making permit applications, public consultation, consideration by local authorities of submissions in relation to permit applications, and the grant, refusal and review of permits by local authorities. The regulations provide for the nominated local authorities to attach such conditions as they consider necessary to give effect to the objectives of the relevant regional waste management plan and to apply charges for household waste collection that respect the polluter pays principle, which informs policy in this regard in Ireland.
It is important that all reasonable steps are taken to encourage the sound environmental management of waste and in particular to encourage waste prevention, reuse, recycling and recovery. Any move by a waste collection service provider away from use based charging must be regarded as a retrograde step. Nominated authorities, as the bodies with statutory responsibility for the issuing or reviewing of waste collection permits, should apply all necessary conditions, as provided for in the 2007 Regulations, to provide for weight and/or volume based waste charges.