Government should act on Labour proposals to reform waste system – Sherlock
Government should act on Labour proposals to reform waste system – Sherlock - The Labour Party
Labour TD for Dublin Central Marie Sherlock has called on Government to take forward Labour’s proposals to reform Ireland’s household waste system following today’s debate on the Waste Management (Single Household Waste Collection Service) Bill 2026 in the Dáil.
The Labour Bill would provide for a single household waste collection operator in each local authority area, place clear responsibility on landlords to ensure proper waste collection for rental properties, strengthen the powers of local authorities and provide for hardship waivers on waste charges.
Deputy Sherlock said:
“Today’s debate highlighted the need for reform of our household waste collection system. Too many communities are dealing with illegal dumping, rising costs and a lack of accountability under the current model.
“I am deeply disappointed that Government chose to oppose Labour’s Bill. Unfortunately, it also appears to have pre-empted the outcome of its own independent review by effectively ruling out any move towards a single operator franchise system before that process has concluded.
“Every year Dublin City Council spends millions collecting almost 3,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste and cleaning up rubbish scattered by seagulls and other animals. That is money which could be better spent improving local services.
“Labour has put forward practical proposals to improve how household waste is managed. Our Bill would provide for a single waste collection operator in each local authority area, strengthen the role of councils and make landlords responsible for ensuring proper waste collection at the properties they rent out.
“These changes would provide greater clarity, improve accountability and help tackle the persistent problem of illegal dumping. Local authorities are already dealing with the consequences of the current system and should have stronger powers to manage waste services effectively.
“I hope today’s debate is the beginning, not the end, of this discussion. Government should now engage seriously with the practical measures set out in Labour’s Bill and allow its own independent review to reach its conclusions without prejudging the outcome. Communities deserve a more efficient, accountable and reliable waste collection system.”