"Privatisation of waste collection services has been a disaster" say Greens !

"Despite strong opposition from the Green Party and the Labour Party, a majority of councillors voted to privatise the services" says Green Party councillor, Deirdre de Burca. "These councillors defended their decision on the basis that the private sector could provide much cheaper waste collection services to householders in the county".

Councillor de Burca has questioned why less than two years after that decision, householders in Dunlaoghaire Rathdown pay an annual charge of 190 euros for their wheelie bin, while householders in Bray pay an annual charge of 305 euros.

She has also pointed out that householders in Dunloghaire Rathdown are provided with a green wheelie-bin for their recyclable waste while householders in Wicklow must travel to the nearest mobile recycling collection point. "In effect, the residents of Dunlaoghaire Rathdown have a doorstep recycling service, while people in Wicklow must travel to the mobile recycling collection points that are available for a limited number of hours once a fortnight" she says. "What allowance is made for those who wish to recycle but who do not have access to a car"?

Councillor de Burca has stated that one of her objectives if elected to the Dail is to ensure that doorstep recycling services become the norm, not just in County Wicklow but nationally.

For further information please contact Deirdre de Burca on 086 8061450 or email deburca@wicklowgreens.org.