19 April 2000

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``Deplorable'' Government move on local authority charges

Sinn Fein TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has described as ``deplorable'' the Government decision to rush a special Bill through the Dáil today to enable local authorities to continue and to retrospectively apply refuse and other service charges. Deputy Ó Caoláin said:

``The Local Government (Financial Provisions) Bill, which is being rushed through the Dáil without prior notice and without proper debate, is a deplorable move by the Government.

``The Government has failed to devise and implement a comprehensive waste management strategy. It has dumped responsibility for waste management on to local authorities without providing the necessary resources. The costs are being borne by householders who have to meet refuse charges and, in many cases, the spiralling demands of private sector service providers.

``These local authority charges are unnecessary and unjust. Those currently dependent on the private operators are equally deserving of a State-backed refuse collection and recycling service.

``I am strongly opposing this Bill.''

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