Bin charges by weight
Senator Quinn seeks a debate on the proposed mandatory weight-based bin charges, arguing they penalise recycling households and represent a regressive policy.
On bin charges, I would like to make sure attention is paid to the decision of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to make it mandatory to pay by weight. The announcement took place in the past number of days, but it seems to be a regressive step for a Government that had to cope with the outcry about property tax, water charges and bin charges to insist that householders who are doing their best to recycle must pay by weight. It is something that should be debated. It should not just come into operation by chance.
Two years ago I suggested we should have safety kits in all cars and it took a long time for something to happen. I am delighted to hear the Road Safety Authority's announcement that it would do something about it and that it was looking for suggestions on what should be included in the road safety kit that all cars would need to have. Almost every country in Europe has legislation stating every car should have safety equipment in it. Many new cars imported from abroad have it, but we have not had it up to now. It has taken at least two years since we brought up the issue in the House, but at least it is going to happen. I urge the rest of the country to get behind the Road Safety Authority and give advice on what should be included.