Derek Keating
Ceist:14 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the plans he has to regulate private refuse collection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5822/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 2 February 2012
Ceisteanna (23, 24, 25)
Joan Collins
Ceist:27 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the handing over of Dublin City Council’s waste collection to a company (details supplied); his views on the €100 charge, and the steps he will take to rescind this charge in view of the fact that it is contrary to the polluter pays principle; if he will bring in regulation to ensure that private companies conform to the highest of standards; and if he will bring in legislation establishing a bond to secure a waste service for households that pay in advance for collection, in case of private companies going into liquidation. [5724/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraDerek Keating
Ceist:44 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that the service from private contractors providing a refuse collection is adequate; if he will consider some sort of local appeal system for cases in which standards are not being adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5823/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 27 and 44 together.
The 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, particularly the conditions attached to each waste collector's collection permit issued by the relevant local authority under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007, as amended. Waste collection in individual local authority areas may also be subject to local bye-laws. 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. 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. Issues including pricing structures, value for money and service standards will be among the issues for consideration in this context.