Bin Charges to cost DCC millions

[KingKane]

It would appear from an IT article today that a Supreme Court ruling on the validity of bin collection charges under Dublin City Council's Waste Management Plan could cost the local authority millions of euro.

"Paul O'Higgins SC, counsel for George Williams, Rutland Grove, Crumlin, Dublin, argued that the city council's charges were invalid having regard to the "polluter pays" principle.

Mr Williams claims that because his bill was a fixed charge and it was unrelated to weight or volume that it offended the principle of the polluter pays or he with the most waste pays most.

He said the issues should be determined by the Supreme Court and he agreed to refer a number of questions to it by way of case stated on whether the charge offends the provisions of the plan and particularly the polluter pays principle."

I wonder whose head will roll in the manager's office for this one, if it comes down on the side of George Williams.

[OneSetanta]

Was wondering how much DCC pay private courier companies every year to deliver DCC Waste Recycling bags to private companies? Average courier charge in Dublin for same day delivery is over 20 euro.

[DSCH]

Why is there such hostility to bin charges in the greater Dublin area? Other parts of the country have had them for a long time now. Does it suggest that levels of civic mindedness are lower in Dublin/ urban areas?

[seedot]

Does it suggest that levels of civic mindedness are lower in Dublin/ urban areas?

Perhaps the belief that there should be a public waste management system and that the introduction of charges is part of the removal of this system and should be resisted shows higher levels of civic mindedness in Dublin?

[DSCH]

Does it suggest that levels of civic mindedness are lower in Dublin/ urban areas?

Perhaps the belief that there should be a public waste management system and that the introduction of charges is part of the removal of this system and should be resisted shows higher levels of civic mindedness in Dublin?

But this issue has been around for twenty years or more. Historically hasn't the opposition been led by the hard left using the ill thought out refrain "no double taxation"? This is hardly suggestive of a civic minded approach to the issue.

[The OD]

Why is there such hostility to bin charges in the greater Dublin area? Other parts of the country have had them for a long time now. Does it suggest that levels of civic mindedness are lower in Dublin/ urban areas?

I have absolutely no problem paying bin charges. What I do have a problem with is being made to subsidise the overwhelming and perpetual mismanagement of pretty much everything by the local authorities in my area. Period. If I thought that the green bin was actually going to be recycled I would be overjoyed, but lets face facts here - its not.

Whilst we have someone like Dick Roche trying to lecture the rest of us on the environment, this country will continue to come out bottom on the environmental test.

[KingKane]

I have no problem with paying for my rubbish being taken away in proportion to the quantity and if I can source my provider directly. However, I can't engage my choice of contractor so I'm stuck in a public monopoly.

[eurocrat]

I have no problem with paying for my rubbish being taken away in proportion to the quantity and if I can source my provider directly. However, I can't engage my choice of contractor so I'm stuck in a public monopoly.

Do you feel the same about water charges?

[KingKane]

I have no problem with paying for my rubbish being taken away in proportion to the quantity and if I can source my provider directly. However, I can't engage my choice of contractor so I'm stuck in a public monopoly.

Do you feel the same about water charges?

My personal inclination is that we should pay for water in some correspondence to how much we use, whether should be in the form of a direct charge or a tax rebate for usage under certain level I'm open to suggestions. Generally, I am inclined to believe that we should pay for resources in proportion to how much we use them, and how much we can afford and that goes for education and transport too.

[eurocrat]

I guess we are broadly in agreement then.