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Thursday, 24 Feb 2022 17:40
Media and members of the public were prevented from attending the meeting of a sub committee set up to examine ways of returning waste collection to Dublin City Council.
The meeting of the remunicipalisation of waste collection service sub committee was considering an interim feasibility report.
However the sub committee decided to have a closed meeting and not to release the report.
In general, council meetings can be held behind closed doors under the city council's Standing Order 39 if it is "desirable" to do so or under Standing Order 40 if confidential information is being discussed.
The committee which is a sub committee of the Climate Action, Environment and Energy Special Purpose Committee (SPC) has received an interim report from the Institute of Public Administration (IPA).
In its terms of reference the IPA was asked to compare Dublin City Council's waste collection which is privatised and involves 'side by side' competition between different companies with the single provider model operated in other European cities.
Among the issues to be examined were carbon emissions and traffic congestion caused by having extra trucks on the road, the cost and quality of service for customers, workers' pay and condition and the level of illegal dumping.
The IPA was also asked to examine the legal context and legislative steps necessary to remunicipalise waste.
Fórsa and SIPTU unions who support remunicipalisation have representatives on the sub committee.
Sinn Féin Councillor Daithà Doolan who is chair said that because it is a sub committee the council's standing orders do not apply.
"The report is in draft form so we decided not to make it public until the report is endorsed by the full SPC. This is best practice."
Waste collection in Dublin city was privatised at the end of 2011 after the council said that the existing service which had operated for 140 years was costing €10 million a year.
A recent report on the problem of illegal dumping stated that the issue is costing the council nearly €1 million a year.