Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 February 2012
315 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is currently preparing new guidelines or a code of conduct for local authorities for waste collection and disposal especially in the context of the privatisation of services; if he will indicate the outline of the proposed regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6406/12]
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 the policy development process 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. All of the responses received, in addition to a summary document, are available on my Department's website, www.environ.ie
I expect to be in a position to submit final proposals in relation to household waste collection to Government by Easter this year. All policy proposals will be carefully considered by Government and will take account of the full range of issues and perspectives. The respective waste management roles of the public and private sectors have evolved considerably in recent years. Such developments will be among the issues for consideration in this context.
316 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has been briefed by Dublin City Council on the recent transfer of waste collection services from Dublin City Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6407/12]
View answer344 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that the transfer of domestic waste collection by Dublin City Council to a company (details supplied) was in compliance with the EU tendering process; his views that there was no breach in data protection during the transfer; his further views on the transfer of the debt of DCC customers to the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6805/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 316 and 344 together.
I am aware of Dublin City Council's transfer of household waste collection services to a private sector partner and the issues arising for customers. However, the operational and legal implications of the transfer of waste collection services are a matter for the City Council itself. Queries on the matter should therefore be addressed directly to the City Council.
