Waste collection charge criticised

A proposal to impose a standard £150 charge per household for waste collection has the potential to be at least as fractious as water charges were, according to members of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

The charge, which is contained in the financial estimates for the coming year, is being proposed by the county manager, Mr Derek Brady, as part of a waste management package which includes the deployment of wheelie bins, an increase in the number of litter wardens and more "bring centres" with recycling facilities.

But the Labour Party members of the council have criticised the proposals, saying they do not represent a "polluter pays" principle or support waste reduction but rather reflect inequality "in that to some they represent just a few rounds of golf while to others they represent a child's back-to-school bill".

According to Labour's Mr Eamon Gilmore "a charge per household is unfair to those on low incomes. There is a waiver of 50 per cent but even people on social welfare will have to find £75 and some do not have it."

Mr Gilmore said as Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown had adopted a joint waste management strategy in tandem with the other three Dublin local authorities, its residents should not be treated differently to residents elsewhere in Dublin. "The same rules should apply all around if we are to have a common strategy."

However, the Fianna Fail leader on the council, Mrs Betty Coffey, said she would support Mr Brady in his efforts to introduce a charge "if he can convince us that his waste plan will work".