Sinn Fein has hit out at a South Dublin City Council after it allowed a waste recycling facility to increase its prices.

The party described Panda Waste's price hike at the Ballymount Civic Amenity and Recycling Centre as "outrageous".

The charge for green waste transported by cars has risen from €8 to €9.50 and general waste also transported by cars has increased from €15 to €18.

Sinn Fein Councillor Cathal King said: "This is an example of an executive decision being made by Council while ignoring publicly elected representatives. The council has kowtowed to a private waste company once again and has no interest in what the councillors or the public think. The sly manner in which this price hike was initiated should tell the public all it needs to know about the service contract the Council has with private waste companies.

-- Advertisement --

"Sinn Féin councillors will now take this matter further at a special meeting of the Council to discuss the matter next week. Unfortunately, the executive council decision, a legacy of Fianna Fáil’s time in government, cannot now be overturned by Councillors. However, the special council meeting can at least highlight the underhanded, unfair nature of this decision and can investigate if there are any ways in which the knock-on effect of this price hike can be alleviated."

(CD/MH)