The Green Party has called for continuity of waste collection services in Dún Laoghaire and protection for householders.

The call follows Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council's announcement that it intends to withdraw from waste collection services.

Local Green Party TD Ciarán Cuffe stated:

"I am concerned that under a Fine Gael-Labour coalition, the Council accrued almost €27m in unpaid waste fees. In addition, some councillors have a policy of calling on residents not to pay waste charges."

"It is crucial that the Council puts measures in place to ensure that the 18,500 householders in the County who use the Council’s waste collection services have alternative measures put in place, and that everyone has access to good quality and affordable waste services."

"The Council’s failure to pursue unpaid waste charges has undermined its ability to provide competitive waste services. In addition, delays in the roll-out of brown bins has made it more difficult for householders to segregate their waste."

"The Green Party has initiated a reform of waste management policy nationally and has put waste reduction, re-use and recycling at the heart of this policy. I hope that the Council will continue to put these criteria at the heart of its own waste management policies."

"I understand this evening that the Council has invited tenders with a view to appointing a contractor who will offer a ‘grey’ and a ‘green’ bin service together with a new ‘brown’ bin service to all existing Council customers at a competitive price. I am pleased that the contractor will also be required to honour the Council’s existing Waiver Scheme. In addition, I understand that the Council is advising its customers that they do not need to make any alternative arrangements for a waste service and to continue to leave out their bins as per usual."