Labour representative Duncan Smith has hit out at the price rises, citing it as a disincentive to many local residents.
Deputy Smith said: "The increases announced by Panda are deeply cynical and could add up to an additional €100 for already pressed households. It will serve as a total disincentive to recycle and it flies in the face of the climate agenda that the majority of people in this country are attempted to work towards.
-- Advertisement --
"In some areas, such as Fingal, Panda operate without any competition. It strikes to me as nothing short of corporate greed and it is the residents who are now stuck with this unfair, anti-environment charge.
"On top of this, the unfortunate reality is that this move is likely to lead to widespread dumping on our roads and countryside. There'll be an additional cost to taxpayers who will have to fund nationwide clean ups as a result.
"Waste collection is an essential public service, with knock on impacts on our environment, health and safety.
"This debacle once again highlights that our current domestic waste disposal service system does not work for the common good. I am reissuing my call to Government to bring in a long term strategy to bring our bin service into the 21st century by re-municipalising Ireland's waste management system."
