Sir, - The Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, says (January 20th) that Government policy on waste management is firmly based on the "polluter pays" principle and the concept of the waste hierarchy. It is unfortunate that the actions by Bray Urban District Council are not.
The immediate effect of these actions is to create chaos in the disposal of waste, and increase the amount of non-recycled waste created, as this local authority has stopped its programme of recyclable waste collection. This is aside from the many other concerns arising from the manner in which these actions have been undertaken.
The Minister is responsible for approving or amending how local authorities plan to manage waste according to the Waste Management Act (1996). I have written to the Minister about this, but have yet to receive a reply.
Please come out from behind the party political barricades, Minister. Our environment is far too important. - Yours, etc.,
Catherine Breathnach, Galtrim Road, Bray, Co Wicklow.