Waste Charges

Some weeks ago, there was a letter in The Irish Times, castigating Labour "hypocrisy" for daring to call for a national waiver scheme for waste charges, while Labour councils, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown included "voted" for the charges. This letter was written straight from the FF wire, as set out by their councillors in Dun Laoghaire the previous Monday.

I did reply to the letter, as set out below, but the paper of record did not see fit to publish it. So much for the right of reply.

"Madam,

Luke Martin’s letter (February 18, 2004) regarding Labour and the waste charges in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown cannot be allowed to go without reply. I will not dwell on its uncanny similarity with the Fianna Fáil “line” on the issue, and instead concentrate on the facts. Under the Protection of the Environment Act 2003, introduced by FF’s Martin Cullen, the power to make waste charges is wholly the function of the county manager. Councillors have no function in this regard.

Labour’s opposition to charges in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown has always been based on the inherent unfairness of a flat charge where everyone pays the same, irrespective of the amount they throw out.

Eamon Gilmore’s proposal for a national waiver scheme is a wholly necessary response to a problem whereby poor people throughout the country are treated in vastly different ways as far as waste charges are concerned. In Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, there is a partial waiver for pensioners below a certain income, with a further waiver for large families, recognising that they cannot reduce waste below a certain level. In Dublin City, where the waste budget is subsidised, there is a full waiver for those on a certain income; and in many parts of the country, there is no waiver scheme whatever.

It is worth repeating again for Mr Martin’s benefit. Councillors cannot make waivers, and cannot make charges. Government, however, can make sure that there is equitable treatment for its citizens.

Yours sincerely,

Cllr Aidan Culhane"