I raise this matter on the Adjournment because many constituents have become increasingly alarmed about the ongoing strike affecting the collection of domestic refuse. Over 62,000 households on the south side of Dublin have a potential health hazard on their doorsteps. Life has become unbearable for many of them who have contacted my office in recent days. Since before Christmas disruption of normal refuse collection services because of a dispute between bin men and South Dublin County Council has been a fact of life for many householders. They do not know from week to week whether their rubbish will be collected and that has caused serious problems for them, particularly over the Christmas period when more rubbish than normal is generated. A mountain of rubbish is building up in these areas with all the attendant problems of odours and lack of hygiene.
Newspaper articles today report that the people of west Tallaght have resorted to burning their rubbish but piles of refuse remain. Young children cannot be expected to steer clear of the bin bags which are strewn around housing estates in the west Tallaght area. The daily lives of many people in this area are difficult enough without having this health hazard imposed on them. In places like Knocklyon, Firhouse and Rathfarnham, bin bags are piling up in back gardens and stray dogs and cats are having a field day. This is making life a misery for thousands of householders and is inviting rat infestation.
The unofficial action which was in place before Christmas has now become official action. The dispute concerns new routing arrangements although I understand of the 62 routes in question, only two are the cause of disagreement. We all accept bin men have a dirty job to do but whatever the rights and wrongs of this dispute, an industrial relations difficulty should not take precedence over what may become a serious health and environmental issue.
I call on the Minister to take the necessary action to sort out this problem. I do not know if she has any proposals in this regard, but perhaps private contractors could be brought in on a one-off basis to clear the growing mountain of refuse. Nobody advocates strike-breaking but the public health issue must be addressed in parallel with the industrial relations issue. The grievances should not take precedence over people's health.
The South Dublin County Council has called on the two unions involved to suspend the industrial action and consider the issues in dispute in a committee comprising two trade union nominees and two management nominees with an agreed chair. I hope this can be done quickly but, in the absence of progress, we owe it to the householders of south Dublin to take whatever steps are necessary. We should not have to wait until a child contracts a serious infection before action is taken.
