Dominic Hannigan

Regulate bin collections or scrap privatisation - Hannigan

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:38:18 GMT

Either bin collection companies must be strictly regulated to ensure that their services suit all customers or the Government must tell local authorities to scrap the privatisation of the service, says Senator Dominic Hannigan.

Commenting on the controversial changes proposed for its bin collections in Louth and Meath by Panda he said: “This is not a service where private companies should be allowed to cherry pick who they serve and how they will serve them. They must be compelled to provide a full and comprehensive service under a licensing system and if they don’t their licences should be revoked.

“Since the privatisation of refuse collection prices have increased steadily in many counties, including Meath and Louth. Gradually companies appear to be heading for a situation where customers will have no choice of the level of service they wish to avail of.

“What I fear is that people who only have enough refuse to fill a bin once or twice a month will be forced to accept a weekly collection service for an annual fee. This means that some people’s bins will only be a half or quarter full each week. They may therefore be tempted to dump recyclable and biodegradable material with their ordinary refuse to get the value of the collection.

“I am also concerned about pensioners and unemployed people who can’t afford the escalating charges. They either have to pay up or get no collection. What do they do with their rubbish if they can’t afford to pay? Are we tempting people to dump?

“I made several calls while I was a member of Meath County Council for a waiver system to the introduced in areas where bin collections have been privatised. Local authorities must be given the finances by the Government to bring this in.

“In fact, even if bin collections are privatised local authorities still have the responsibility to ensure that there are adequate waste collection, recovery and disposal arrangements in their areas according to the Waste Management Act. But the rules are still too loose and must be tightened up.”

Meath needs to be given more funds to finish off estates - Hannigan

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:28:43 GMT

Meath County Council will need additional funding to complete work in housing estates across the county, according to Meath Senator Dominic Hannigan.

The Department of Environment has recently published new guidance on the matter of “taking-in-charge” of estates. The guidance calls for a faster process for taking-in-charge of estates.

Speaking in the Seanad Hannigan welcomed this advice but said that “in many parts of County Meath there are unfinished housing estates. The developers have walked away and considerable work still needs to be done. The bonds are not sufficient to cover the cost of the work.”

Some estates in County Meath have been built for almost ten years and still lack footpaths, or landscaping, because the builder has disappeared or run out of money. Senator Hannigan said that he has seen serous cases of unfinished estates throughout the county.

But he asked where the Council was expected to find the money to finish off the estates. “It is one thing for the Minister to tell the local authorities they should take charge of the estates, but it is not clear where the additional money will come from. It must come from somewhere! Will the Minister of State make a statement on how this will work in practice?” he asked.

The Council has recently taken in charge estates such as Kilbreck and Glasheen in Stamullen and Millmount Abbey in Drogheda. “It is the right of all residents to have their estate taken in charge, and resources must be made available to do this” said Hannigan.

Jimmy Tully Bridge is a fitting tribute to a great Meath man - Hannigan

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:29:27 GMT

The opening of the new Jimmy Tully bridge in Laytown is a fitting tribute to a great Meath man, says Meath Senator Dominic Hannigan.

The new pedestrian bridge over the River Nanny was officially opening last week in the presence of friends, family and Meath County Council staff and Councillors. The cutting of the ribbon was followed by a walk across the bridge, led by Jimmy’s daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Friends and colleagues of Jimmy’s were also in attendance.

“Since I entered politics I have consistently met people from across the county who remember Jimmy and comment on the great work he did for people throughout the county. He was a builder of bridges in communities and this new bridge is a fitting tribute to his work” said Hannigan.

Gormley’s Green Party has failed to act on Nobber Incinerator - Hannigan

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:29:50 GMT

The Green Party has been asked to explain its thinking on the Nobber incinerator by Meath Senator Dominic Hannigan.

Speaking in the Seanad, Hannigan said that “Only a year ago the Green Party was against incinerators. Now one is soon to start construction in Duleek, and another, for 200,000 tonnes of waste, is being proposed for Nobber” he told the House.

Hannigan questioned whether the Greens have changed their policy on this issue, asking “What are the views of the Minister and the Green Party on the number of incinerators needed by this country? How many should be built in County Meath? We need to know because it is not clear that the Green Party has a policy anymore on this.”

Responding to the question the Leader of the Seanad, Senator Donie Cassidy said that “Senator Hannigan expressed serious concerns regarding incineration and the challenges facing the people of his constituency. I also can have inquiries made into this matter.”

Speaking after the debate Hannigan said that “there are alternatives to incineration. Burning our waste is the easy way out. The Green Party in government needs to do more on this issue.”

New licensing Laws will not make the streets of Meath safer - Hannigan

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:30:21 GMT

The new licensing laws introduced by the Government are unlikely to make it safer for people in places like Ashbourne, Navan or Duleek, according to local Senator Dominic Hannigan.

Speaking after the new Bill was introduced in the Seanad, Hannigan said “We all agree that we need to improve public order on our streets and reduce excessive binge-drinking, but I am of the view that this new law is not the way to do it. In fact, it could make things worse.”

The new law means that nightclubs will have to close at the same time as each other. So, lots of revellers will be spilling out onto the streets at the same time.

“The failure to stagger opening hours could lead to chaos on our streets and to people swilling down their beers at the end of the night – quite the opposite of the government’s aim. What we could end up with are fights over taxis, fights in take-away, just because of the fact that we are cramming so much activity into a short period of time”

Senator Hannigan received emails from people across Meath who were concerned about this issue. Most suggested that a more carefully considered approach to reform, in consultation with the industry, would have produced better legislation. So too would more education on the issue of binge-drinking.

The Bill went through the final stages in the Seanad on Thursday, although many worried that it was being done too quickly.

“Rushed legislation can end up with mistakes” said Hannigan. “I would not be surprised if we have to return to this issue in the years to come, because it’s hard to see how this new law is going to help things - it will more likely make things worse!”