Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 December 2011
289 Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has agreed with Dublin City Council to provide emergency funding to cover the accommodation costs of residents from Priory Hall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39511/11]
View answerMy Department has made a contribution towards the costs necessarily incurred by Dublin City Council, in the context of a judgment of the High Court, in providing temporary accommodation for households evacuated from Priory Hall.
290 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the proposals he has to re-structure the waste market here to restrict side by side competition; the reasons behind these proposals; when he expects to introduce such proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39652/11]
View answerThe 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 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.
291 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding waste management (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39669/11]
View answerThe charges applied by waste management companies are a matter between those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation. The company concerned comes within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Matters of compliance with competition law are proper to the Competition Authority.
