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Saturday 5 December 2020
A report has found that just 15% of people with a choice of waste provider have ever changed who collects their bins.
The average home now pays €230-€280 a year in waste collection charges.
The Environment Committee voted to ensure the set up of a bottle deposit scheme is compulsory.
Ireland is the top producer of plastic waste in the European Union.
Dr Tara Shine said lessons were learned from the plastic bag levy and people should be rewarded for recycling.
The government announced a price monitoring group would be set-up to ensure waste collectors do not hike up their prices.
Will it spark water charges-style protests?
“We are in the House of Parliament on national television,” cried out the Leas Ceann Comhairle.
Fianna Fáil has tabled a motion on bin charges in the Dáil this evening.
Minister Denis Naughten is looking at introducing large-scale recycling bins outside supermarkets in a bid to tackle waste at source.
Both Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil have tabled motions on the issue.
The mandatory pay-by-weight scheme is to be scrapped.
The controversial pay-by-weight scheme has been replaced with this new regime.
It comes after the pay-by-weight scheme was delayed last year.
The minister said he is open to suggestions as to how apartment dwellers could be encouraged to recycle.
Minister Denis Naughten said a pricing regime is yet to be agreed with the waste sector.
A year-long industry-wide price freeze was announced last week.
Charges will be frozen for at least the next 12 months.
The Irish Waste Management Association has agreed a number of measures it says “will alleviate consumer concerns” over bin charges.
The environment minister held discussions with Ireland’s waste companies today.
The minister says he had a “frank and productive” discussion with operators.
“This was always the sword of Damacles to be held over their heads.”
The Tánaiste said legislation would be introduced if waste companies are found to be exploiting customers.
Councils will have the power to allow people living in areas unsuitable for wheelie bin collection be able to use them.
A local Sinn Féin representative believes that most offenders simply can’t afford to pay domestic bin charges.
A dispute over Data Protection issues has been settled and bills will be issued immediately.
Septic tanks, dry-cleaning receipts and Michael D’s knees – just some of the strange things we never thought we’d obsess about in a political context… but we do now.
Andrew Montague said that there had not been enough time given to the changeover.
Sinn Féin Cllr Mícheál Mac Donncha said the council had failed to negotiate the handover properly with private operators Greyhound.
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THIS WEEKEND MARKS the first Saturday and Sunday since six weeks of Level 5 restrictions across the country ended on 1 December.
Many will use the occasion to socialise and see people whom they haven’t been able to meet since October, particularly after the re-opening of pubs and restaurants yesterday.
Others have already used the days since the return to Level 3 on Tuesday to meet people.
However, public health officials are still urging the public to limit their social contacts in order to prevent another rise in cases over the festive period.
Today we’re asking: Has your number of social contacts increased since the end of Level 5 restrictions?
Poll Results:
Share your story: voices@thejournal.ie
Partly sunny with a couple of showers
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Patchy low clouds and fog
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