In January of this year, the former Minister, Deputy Kelly, announced the introduction of a new pay-by-weight billing system for bin customers. He made this announcement amid a lot of fanfare, as was his wont. His forecast was that 87% of customers would save money as a result of the new system but the exact opposite has turned out to be the case. It seems from the feedback being received by all Deputies that 87% of people will be paying much more. There has been a frenzy of coverage, showing examples of families which were paying €200 but will now have to pay €400. Some families which were paying €360 are being charged €611. Deputy Lahart is in correspondence with a family which was paying €420 but will now have to pay €770. There is a growing sense of anger and frustration around the country because those who are in line to be hit with these bills from 1 July are not being offered a means of dealing with this problem. They should be helped to find alternative services by shopping around and seeing what options are available. All of the companies are piling on these increases.

If action is not taken now, we will be facing into a very difficult summer. Families throughout the country will be facing very difficult situations. I am concerned that in such circumstances, waste will be disposed of illegally and difficulties will continue to arise. People with disabilities, older people and people with larger families are being hammered by the new regime and are concerned about the lack of information being given to them. The private companies that are increasing the standing charges are exploiting the Government's lack of preparation in order to profit from this situation. In one instance, the annual standing charge has been increased from €60 to €169. The additional burden that is being imposed on working families across the country is forcing them to add to the profits of these companies.

What is the Government proposing to do? We understand from today's Irish Examiner that the Minister, Deputy Coveney, is proposing to take action on behalf of the Government. Will the Tánaiste outline here in the Chamber exactly what the Minister intends to do to stop these charges from proceeding? Will the Government agree to freeze these charges until people can realise where the savings are, or if the savings actually exist? Will the Tánaiste say whether she and her Government colleagues agree with the increased bin charges? Do they agree with companies profiteering from Government incompetence by adding to standing charges in the way they are doing in this city and this country today? Are they aware of and do they understand the level of anger and worry that exists regarding these charges?

This is an issue about which the Government and I are concerned. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Simon Coveney, has asked the major waste collection companies to meet with him next week to discuss this, as well as other issues around the introduction of pay-by-weight. He will put it up to them to explain their justification for what is happening and for such significant price hikes.

This was never the spirit of the legislation. The change in the way this was to be done was about ensuring the principle of reduce and reuse was built into the system. It was never meant to be an excuse for hiking up charges. The Minister, in the first instance, will discuss this with the companies next week.

As Deputy Calleary said, these charges do not come into play until 1 July. However, the companies have begun sending out information which has clearly caused concern and upset to many of their customers and to consumers. We are concerned about this. The Minister will explore what action needs to be taken in the first instance next week when he meets those companies. I would stress that the whole change of pay-by-weight was intended to give households more control over their waste costs and to provide better value to those which prevent waste and recycle more. It is very much in accordance with the polluter pays principle. It was to stimulate the prevention of waste and create a more environmentally sustainable approach to the management of waste.

In terms of the approach to the issue, that is clearly what was behind the spirit of the legislation. It was certainly not intended to be an excuse to top up the basic charges which is what is being reported at present.

The Tánaiste said this policy is intended to be good value. It is certainly not good value if one’s annual bill goes from €360 to €611 or from €420 to €770. It is certainly not good value if the standing charge is increased. The Tánaiste claimed there is still time to address this matter. However, most households have to pay that charge before their bins will be collected. There is two weeks to deal with this.

The Tánaiste said it was not the spirit of the legislation. It is a consequence, however, of badly drafted legislation which has a lacuna and which has given an opening to companies to profit from this policy. While the policy is a welcome change in attitude, it will crucify households, pensioners, disabled people and families across the country.

Families will be looking to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government’s meeting with the companies for results. If he does not get results, what will he do? Will he suspend the introduction of this measure until these companies see sense or will the Government go along with companies profiteering from families using the pay-by-weight system? We may have a new Government but the manner in which this pay-by-weight system is being introduced is the same incompetence that dragged us through Irish Water.

That is an incorrect analysis. The issue is how certain companies are behaving. This is a competitive market. If this is seen as taking advantage, the Minister will introduce regulations if necessary.

In the first instance, however, he is meeting with the companies next week and is dealing with this as an urgent issue. We accept it is an urgent issue. We do not wish to see consumers being exploited in any way in this change of policy to pay-by-weight. As I said, this policy was intended to reduce costs for householders and this was the spirit behind the legislation. We must ensure it works in that way because it would be right for the environment and for consumers if we reduce the cost for them in managing their waste. That was the intention and spirit behind the legislation. It was certainly not to see excessive and extra costs being put on consumers.

Of course, Fianna Fáil is correct to identify it as both a legacy issue and a contemporary issue of Government incompetence. It should, however, be pointed out to Fianna Fáil that it is the facilitator of this incompetence in government. But for its support, this incompetent crew would not be in a position to continue their incompetent governance.

Sinn Féin is doing it in the North where the charge is £1,300 sterling.

Last January the then Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, at the stroke of a ministerial pen, introduced Statutory Instrument No. 24. He said at the time that this would mean that 90% of families and households would pay less to have their bin collected. Roll on a number of months and the truth emerges, with great panic, as the Tánaiste has acknowledged. It now transpires that up to 90% of families and households will, in fact, pay substantially more.

Let us look at some cases. Elaine is a mother of three children, has a chronically ill husband and is in receipt of carer's allowance. The cost of her bin collection service is increasing from €204 to €360 per year, a 76% increase. They cannot afford this. Marie is in her 80s, lives alone and is in receipt of the State pension. Her standing charge is being increased from €50 to €169 per year, an increase of 238%. She has told me money is so tight that she will have no choice but to either go without food or burn her rubbish illegally. Is there not something obscene about this for a senior citizen in 2016? As it happens, Marie is a constituent of the Tánaiste.

The Tánaiste said the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, would meet the providers and that he would put it up to them. I have to tell her that does not inspire much confidence. What the Minister needs to do is to reverse this bad decision. The regulation was introduced at the stroke of a ministerial pen and could be removed at the stroke of a ministerial pen.

A question, please.

The Minister should today sign a new statutory instrument to remove this regulation which is going to cause so much hardship for families. The Tánaiste should dispense with the tea and sympathy and tell me whether the Minister will today or early next week sign a new statutory instrument to remove this threat of daylight robbery on the part of bin collectors of ordinary decent citizens.

It is not the Government which has introduced this charge; therefore, I do not accept the way the Deputy has framed the issue. It appears the companies are taking the opportunity presented by the new legislation to change the standing charges. What I have made very clear is that this is not acceptable to the Government; it is not acceptable to the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, and, if necessary, regulations will be introduced to assure and reassure consumers that charges will not go up in the way the Deputy has described. Not one person has yet been charged and it is the intention of the Government to ensure the legislation is not abused in any way. In its spirit it is the right direction to take and, in fact, will lead to lower charges for households. That is the intention behind the legislation. If it is being abused or exploited by private companies in what is a competitive market, what I am saying clearly to the Deputy is that the Minister will take action before 1 July when the new regime is due to come into place.

The Tánaiste is dancing on the head of a pin when she says it is not the fault of the regulations but of crafty companies which are availing of the legislation in place. She should not waste our time with that nonsense. There are two options.

Either the Minister acts to bring forward a new regulation which he is perfectly capable of doing - it is our view in Sinn Féin that he should do so today - or, failing this, we avail of Seanad Standing Orders which give the Seanad the power to annul a statutory instrument within 21 sitting days of its signing by the Minister. As the Seanad has sat in a period of ten days since, Sinn Féin Senators have today submitted a motion to the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad to annul the statutory instrument and regulation. Either the Minister acts or next week Sinn Féin Senators will bring forward the motion to ensure the regulation is annulled. If it comes to this, I hope Fianna Fáil, Government Senators and others will support the motion. Sitting on our hands is not an option. The Minister talking tough is not an option. Either the Government acts or we will do so next week. Under no circumstances, come 1 July, will ordinary people be fleeced in the way the companies intend.

The people most affected do not need political theatrics; what they need is action. I have been very clear that the Minister will take action on this issue. Previously a total of 40% of the companies were charging by weight. Legislation is the right approach as it will reduce costs for most households. If it is being exploited, the matter will be dealt with. The Minister will meet the companies and introduce a regulation to deal with this issue.

Therefore, he will annul it.