Boundary changes and waste charges
Senator Murnane O'Connor first welcomed the boundary recommendation affecting east Carlow, then raised her second issue: the new pay-by-weight waste system and the need for awareness campaigns and possible waivers for vulnerable households.
I wish to speak about the boundary changes. Many of us had been worried about the boundaries but I welcome-----
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I just want to welcome-----
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Hold on for one second, please. I have already admonished Senator Leyden about this because it is not appropriate. This is just a recommendation. Legislation has to be introduced by the Government, which may not happen before the next general election.
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I can see that Senator Murnane O'Connor has a smile on her face because of the boundary change but-----
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Yes, the recommendation is there and I just want to welcome east Carlow home.
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Thank you. The second issue I want to highlight is-----
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-----the new pay-by-weight system for waste that will be introduced from 1 July about which I am very disappointed. Over a year ago we spoke about this system but we urged the Department to conduct an awareness and information campaign. We said that it would be important to produce leaflets and to let people know how important it is to reduce the amount of waste produced. We all understand that landfill sites are filling up. We also spoke about the possibility of the introduction of a waiver scheme for elderly people, for large families, for families with young babies in nappies and so forth but none of this was mentioned by the Minister.
This is going to cause trouble. A lot of people out there are very angry. I know this from dealing with people in my own constituency. I note that a notice of motion was unanimously passed by South Dublin County Council against the pay-by-weight system and this is only the start. The lack of information is appalling. This was not even mentioned in the past year and now, all of a sudden, we are being told that on 1 July, the new system will become operational. It is not good enough and a lot of people are very angry about it. We need to take this issue seriously.