Plans to introduces charges for green bins in Ireland will increase illegal dumping, according to Sinn Fein.

TD for Louth and East Meath Imelda Munster described it as a "lazy policy".

She said: "We have already witnessed an increase in illegal dumping both in rural and urban areas, and in some cases on public streets in the middle of housing estates, and this new charge is only going to compound this problem even further.

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"The government planned this move two years ago but kicked it down the road when there was opposition to the plan. Despite this fact, charges are now to be introduced, with China’s decision to shut its doors to our recycling waste being used as an excuse.

"People cannot afford another household charge. This is another charge on families which serves no purpose as it will not lead to an increase in recycling.

"We need to address supermarket and packaging waste and ensure that materials that can be recycled by businesses and households are used in packaging, rather than materials such as plastic wrapping that is now not recognised as recyclable waste for the purpose of green bin collection."

(CD/MH)