Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan wants to speed up the introduction of new regulations for Waste Management to clean up the sector as soon as possible.

Minister Hogan said: "The behaviour of private bin companies in Dublin City since the privatisation of the waste service has left much to be desired. The privatised industry has been nightmare so far, characterised by terrible communications, missed lifts, and poor customer service. On top of this, companies are now asking households to pay for recycling bags, and no-one seems to have the power to stop them.

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"Government policy is very clear - waste collectors are required "to operate pricing structures designed to incentivise environmentally sustainable behaviours by households in terms of waste reduction and segregation". Charging €1.50 per recycling bag and the new 'all-in' fixed price annual bin charges are in clear breach of this policy.

"In response to a series of parliamentary questions, Minister Hogan has told me that regulations are being developed to give effect to the Government's Waste Management Policy. These regulations will be very welcome when they are introduced, with stronger enforcement of permit conditions, financial penalties and the possible withdrawal of permits."

(CD)