Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 May 2012
26 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the regulatory impact analysis of domestic waste collection; and when he will be in a position to submit final proposals in regulation of this industry to Government. [22127/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 system otherwise known as ‘franchise-bidding.’ 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. The analysis has been informed by the outcomes of the public consultation process and by information subsequently provided by consultees, including relevant economic information. I intend to publish the regulatory impact analysis concerning the regulation of household waste collection subsequent to Government's consideration of the issues.
Household waste collection is a service of critical importance to every household in the country. My intention is to ensure that household waste collection is regulated so that, as a society, our collective welfare is maximised. I wish to see competitive, high quality, and efficient services provided to households in all areas of the country, and I wish to see the best possible environmental outcomes achieved. I expect to be in a position to finalise proposals for Government in relation to household waste collection in the coming weeks. All policy proposals, including franchise-bidding, will be carefully considered by Government and will take account of the full range of issues and perspectives, including our obligations under the Landfill Directive and the Waste Framework Directive, the impact on consumers and the industry of potential changes to market structures, competition issues and the matter of waivers for low income households.
