Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 April 2012
848 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding any proposals he has to restructure the waste market here to restrict side by side competition; when he expects to introduce such proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18451/12]
View answer875 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that rural communities in receipt of a private refuse collection service will have this service maintained and protected and affordable in any revised arrangements which he introduces to the household waste collection system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18808/12]
View answer876 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will publish the regulatory impact assessment completed by his Department on the various options for the regulation of household waste collection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18809/12]
View answer877 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will publish his proposals for competitive tendering for household waste collection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18810/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 848 and 875 to 877, inclusive, together.
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 the policy development process concluded in September 2011. A large number of responses were received from a broad spectrum of interests. 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.
My Department is currently finalising a regulatory impact analysis to examine the costs, benefits and other impacts of options for change, and to inform how best to regulate the household waste collection market. I intend to publish the regulatory impact analysis concerning the regulation of household waste collection subsequent to Government's consideration of the issues.
I expect to be in a position to submit final proposals to Government in relation to household waste collection in the coming weeks. All policy proposals will be carefully considered by Government and will take account of the full range of issues and perspectives, including the impact on rural communities and households.
