Republican News · Thursday 27 June 2002

Clones residents angry at new waste disposal tax

The Cathaoirleach of Clones Town Council, Councillor Pat Treanor, has called for "an immediate review and evaluation of the government's so-called Waste Management Strategy and the introduction of the Kerbside collection scheme".

The Sinn Féin representative was expressing the anger felt by residents in Clones, who were informed by letter over the weekend that a new government tax has been imposed on the cost at landfill sites from 1 June.

"Over the period of a full year, this tax will amount to €24 per household, bringing the yearly charge to €264," said Treanor. "Refuse collection was £60 per household in 1998, when the Local Authority had responsibility for it. This represents a nearly 400% increase since waste disposal was privatised.

"Article 11, Section 73 (1) of the Government's Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2001, gives the Minister for the Environment the power to 'make regulations providing that there shall be chargeable, levyable and payable, a levy in respect of waste disposal activity'. Article 11, Section 73 (10) states that 'a person who fails to... pay the levy or comply with the provisions of the regulation... shall be guilty of an offence'.

"This is an intolerable situation when no alternative to bin collection has been provided for.

"In the short term, I urge the County Council to introduce a Kerbside Collection Scheme in Clones. This would mean that households could opt for a smaller bin at a reduced cost. In the longer term, the main practical way in which sustainable development, breaking the cycle of failed waste management strategies and increasing the role of the community in more effective and environmentally friendly waste management is to implement a zero waste strategy."