Wexford SF oppose privatisation of waste collection

Two Sinn Féin councillors in County Wexford have said that they support council refuse workers, and oppose any plans to lay them off in favour of private contractors. Cllr Anthony Kelly and Cllr Johnny Mythen reiterated their party opposition to any plans to privatise this sector, and instead called on the government to honour their pre-election promises to reform the taxation system, allowing new wealth collected to fund vital public services.

“Following the privatisation of waste collection services in South Dublin and Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown, it now seems that it’s only a matter of time before efforts are made to change things in County Wexford,” Cllr Kelly said. “Wexford Sinn Féin fully supports County Wexfords council refuse workers and will oppose any attempt to get rid of them in the name of privatisation. I’m worried that these workers will be made redundant and sent to join the other twenty thousand unemployed people in this county on the Dole Queue. If we are to witness a private company taking over council waste collection services in County Wexford, then these workers must be redeployed in other areas rather than let go.”

Cllr Johnny Mythen added;

“We hear a lot of talk that privatisation leads to price cuts and that the takeover of this public service by private companies will ultimately benefit ordinary people. The truth is, that in the past we have witnessed such “price cuts” quickly be forgotten as private companies carved out monopolies for themselves, allowing rapid price escalations. Historically, privatisation has been shown to hurt the poor and less well off the worst. Vital services should be available to all and paid for with a fair and progressive tax system based on ability to pay.”