Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2015
776. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding waste collections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14142/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe collection of waste by waste collectors is subject to compliance with applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, primarily the Waste Management Act 1996 and conditions attached to each waste collector’s collection permit issued under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007. Waste collection in individual local authority areas may also be subject to local bye-laws, including bye-laws specifying times or days during which waste is to be made available for collection. Under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it. My role as Minister is to provide a comprehensive legislative and waste policy framework through which the relevant environmental regulatory bodies, such as local authorities, operate. In that context, I intend to introduce legislation soon to significantly reform the regulation of household waste collection, including introducing measures to require collectors to meet certain minimum standards of customer service. It will also become a statutory requirement for all collectors to have customer charters in place. I will be setting out in law what the minimum content of these customer charters will be, so that standards of service are improved and are consistent.
