Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Apr 2003

Vol. 564 No. 2

Written Answers - Waste Management.

Sean Fleming

Question:

223 Mr. Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will consider amending the law to ensure elected members of local authorities are given the power regarding imposing or varying charges in respect of the collection of domestic waste and landfill facilities. [9183/03]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

Local authorities are empowered under the Local Government (Financial Provisions) (No. 2) Act 1983 to charge for services that they provide, and the making of such charges is a reserved function.

There is provision in the Protection of the Environment Bill 2003 for the amendment of the Waste Management Act 1996. It is proposed, among other things, to insert a new section into that Act, giving explicit powers to local authorities to charge for waste services and providing that the making of such charges would be an executive function.

A key objective of the proposed new section is to ensure, and put beyond doubt, the continued application of the polluter pays principle in respect of the provision of waste services by local authorities. The imposition of waste charges on all waste producers availing of waste collection and disposal services provided by local authorities is consistent with national waste management policy and mandated under EU waste legislation. Failure to apply the principle properly could lead to the institution of EU legal proceedings against Ireland and militate against the availability of EU funding for the implementation of regional waste management plans.