Newly elected Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward has moved his first piece of legislation in the Dáil today.

Teachta Ward co-sponsored the Waste Management Regulator Bill at first stage in the Dáil this afternoon.

He has described the bill as the first step in bringing waste collection services back under public control.

Speaking in the Dáil he said;

“I’m delighted to co-sponsor this bill which is a continuation of a campaign I started during my time on South Dublin County Council.

“In June of 2016 I reported the waste management companies to the Competition and Consumer Protection Agency when waste management companies raised their prices in unison after the proposed pay by weight scheme. 

“A conservative estimate on the increases saw customers expected to pay an additional 43% more for waste disposal than they had previously. This would have been another stealth tax imposed on ordinary workers and families.

“Constituents who decided to shop around and try get a cheaper rate from an alternative waste management companies were dismayed to find that any company they contacted had increased their prices too.

“The waste management companies were operating a cartel.

“The privatisation of domestic waste collection services has failed with poorer quality of service, increased costs for households, negative environmental impacts and increased illegal dumping.

“I grew up in North Clondalkin, an area with many socio-economic problems but it was clean in comparison to today.

“Areas that could be used for football and dog walking are full of litter and remains of fires from the burning of domestic waste. The impact of the few is having a detrimental impact on the many.

“Just yesterday a Sinn Fein amendment to a Private Members Motion, that calls for the return of waste management into council control, got cross party support, and today’s bill from Sinn Féin sets us off on the legislative path.”

ENDS