Greyhound Dispute Escalating into Public Health Issue – FF

Fianna Fáil Dublin Spokesperson Senator Darragh O’ Brien has called on Minister Richard Bruton to directly intervene in the Greyhound waste dispute before it escalates into a public health issue
Senator O’Brien commented: “This dispute is now going on for more than six weeks and bins across Dublin City have not been collected.  As we are experiencing very hot weather the over filled bins are smelling and are inviting all sorts of vermin. There are reports of an increased number of rats around refuse and I fear that this dispute will quickly escalate into a public health issue unless there is an intervention.

“Customers of Greyhound have had their rubbish collected sparingly over the last six weeks and it is deeply unfair. People who pay for a refuse service rightly expect their rubbish to be collected at the allocated time on a weekly or fortnightly basis.

“This is a very bitter dispute and even though both sides have been urged to avail of the Labour Relations Commission and Labour Court again, nothing has happened and the dispute is still going on.

“Minister Bruton needs to stop performing the role of disinterested observer and show some leadership. He needs to take much more direct action to move the dispute forward. Simultaneously, the Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly also needs to get involved and take action to prevent the spread of disease across the city. This hot weather and uncollected overflowing bins is a recipe for disaster.  The Government needs to get off the sidelines and act.”