Waste Disposal Charges

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2016

Tuesday, 5 July 2016

Questions (662)

Clare Daly

Question:

662. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if a company (details supplied) is in breach of consumer protection legislation by automatically opting customers into a pay-by-weight system on 1 August 2016 unless customers contact the company themselves before 1 August 2016 to state that they wish to opt out and avail of the 12-month price freeze announced by Government last week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19448/16]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Determination on whether consumer protection legislation has been breached is ultimately a matter for the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and/or the Courts depending on the relevant legislative provision. The CCPC, which is statutorily independent in the exercise of its enforcement function, has advised me that the matter referred to in the Deputy’s question is under examination along with a number of other consumer issues which have arisen as a result of the introduction of a pay by weight charging structure for household waste. The CCPC has further advised that it cannot comment on the matter or give a time frame for the completion of its examination.