Waste regulator is welcome step

FIANNA Fáil TD for Sligo-Leitrim Eamon Scanlon says consumers will be protected from sudden price gouging in the waste disposal sector through the establishment of a regulator and he has welcomed the Government’s decision to set up a taskforce in the interim period.

Fianna Fáil used its Private Members time in the Dáil this week to call for a regulator for the sector. Deputy Scanlon said: “I’m glad that Minister Naughten and his Cabinet colleagues have realised the gravity of the situation and are listening to my party’s call for a waste regulator to protect consumers. The issue of competition is a major problem, especially for people living in rural areas where there is very little competition.

“I know that in my own area of Ballymote there is only one waste company and locals were very worried that their bills would increase as a result of the new regime. The lack of competition is a real issue, but the fact that we have secured a regulator to monitor pricing will ensure that customers are not subjected to price gouging.

“Steps must also be taken to clamp down on illegal dumping and fly tipping. We have had terrible problems in Sligo with indiscriminate dumping in scenic areas. In one case, Sligo County Council, along with the local community was forced to hire a HI-MAC along with a number of skips to remove rubbish from a rural road. It’s a disgraceful situation, but the council along with community activists are doing their best to tackle the problem.”