Fianna Fáil Called To Support Scrapping Of Bin Charges

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has called on Fianna Fáil to "join the effort to scrap punitive bin charge hikes."

Mr Adams made the call ahead of a Dáil debate on the issue.

"Many people are only now adjusting to the reality that Fine Gael are back in Government; despite the result of the general election," he said. "The bin charges debacle has been a sharp reality check. People just cannot afford the punitive hikes in charges. The Government's plans should be scrapped. Will Fianna Fáil support this?

"The strength of public opinion may force them to do so, but on other issues they have sided with Enda Kenny. Last week for example, they supported the refusal of the Government to accept legislation that would have provided rent certainty for struggling households. 

"The Taoiseach is also resisting Sinn Féin's call for a Commission of Investigation into the sale of NAMAs Northern loan book. Micheál Martin has correctly described the Government's position as untenable, yet so far he has failed to act or to support the establishment of a Commission. 

"So too with the Fine Gael decision to appeal the High Court judgement on the National Monument at the unique, iconic 1916 site at Moore Street. The Taoiseach is siding with the developer and despite their protestations to the contrary, he is being aided and abetted in this endeavour by his partners in the Fianna Fáil leadership.

"The people put Fine Gael and Labour out of office. The people wanted Enda Kenny out of office. Yet Fianna Fáil put Fine Gael back into Government. Fianna Fáil returned Enda Kenny as Taoiseach.

"They promise 'new politics'. But their new politics looks very much like politics of old. Fianna Fáil play the part of opposition whilst propping up the the Government. For his part, the Taoiseach knows that Fine Gael will remain in office as long as he honours his contractual obligations with Fianna Fáil.

"The Dáil, and for that matter his own backbenchers, will have little say in this. Little wonder some unscrupulous waste disposal companies are exploiting inappropriate regulations in their own self-interest. Sinn Féin and others are committed to stopping them. Fianna Fáil should put the people first and join us in that effort."

(MH/CD)