Clare Refuse Rise Condemned

national | miscellaneous | news report Saturday January 25, 2003 16:01 by Republican

Clare Republican Sinn Féin There has been an increase of over thirty euro in the cost of refuse collection in County Clare over last year and this is more than twice the rate of inflation, the local branch of Republican Sinn Féin said today.

RSF vice-president Des Long said that the decision by the members of Clare County Council to privatize the collection of refuse has imposed considerable hardship on many people in the County.

"The fact is that the Councillors an now distance themselves from increases such as that imposed by the private company for 2003," said Mr. Long.

"This above inflation rate increase is the trend for the future and people will have no control over the cost of the service.

"Indeed by their actions is distancing themselves from the rate increase, the Clare County Councillors are abandoning the idea of local democracy.

"It is now obvious that the elected Councillors who voted to bring in the private service have not acted in the interests of those who elected them.

"It is time that the people of County Clare made a stand against this erosion of local democracy and we are now calling on the elected Councillors to make known their views on the 2003 increases. The cost of the refuse service must be kept within the limits of inflation - and we are now calling on the Council to ensure that such rises are subject to strict controls."