Minister for the Environment Simon Coveney has vowed to introduce legislation if private companies take advantage of the new pay-by-weight bin charge system, due to kick in next month.
Minister Coveney’s promise comes just days after members of the Dáil expressed their concern that a ‘cartel’ was operating among private waste disposal companies across the country.
According to reports, some companies look set to raise their bin charges by as much as 200% when the pay-by-weight system is introduced, on 1st July.
While Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald insisted that the aim of the new system was to reduce charges for customers, Minister Coveney has promised a strong response if evidence of such a ‘cartel’ was found.
In an interview with the Irish Examiner, the Minister said: “I would take a dim view if we see clear evidence of abuse. This was never about increasing bin charges. If we need to introduce regulations to ensure that doesn’t happen, then we will do that.”
Minister Coveney has since called on representatives from these private bin companies to meet with him, to discuss the issue.
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