Editorial
Bin tag price hikes will cause hardship and litter
News that people in this area faces price hikes of between 31% and 50% on their bin tags is likely to cause significant upset and anxiety to thousands of hard-pressed householders.
The Westmeath Independent in recent weeks warned of the likelihood of significant price hikes - and unfortunately, our warnings came to pass last week with the decision of the three main waste disposal companies in this area to increase the price of the traditional bin tag to €10.50.
The prices rises are due to a 66% increase in the levy charged by the government on the waste companies to dispose of the non-recyclable waste in landfills.
The landfill levy has now been increased, over a series of years, from 15 euro per tonne in 2008 to 50 euro per tonne since September 1.
The Department of the Environment admits it is hiking the prices charged on the landfill operators in order to further encourage recycling.
The Department says Ireland must meet challenging targets enshrined in the EU Landfill Directive with regard to the diversion of biodegradable municipal waste from landfill. Significant increases are warranted in order to drive recycling and diversion from landfill, it says.
However, there has to be serious concerns that the increase will simply result in an upsurge in illegal dumping and burning of waste.
And it also begs the question why the cost of recycling tags are also on the rise, if the purpose of the increased landfill levy is to encourage recycling.
The lack of any serious effort by the private companies - or the local authorities in this area - to drive the introduction of an organic bin collection - is also disappointing.
Modernising of court traditions is welcome
This week, there were a number of welcome developments designed to modernise hitherto ancient legal traditions.
Firstly the requirement on High Court, Supreme Court and Circuit Court judges to wear wigs was removed.
And later in the week, Justice Minister Alan Shatter published plans to reform the legal system, which included the removal of the compulsion on barristers to wear gowns. For some time, barristers had discretion in relation to the wearing of the horsehair wigs.
The relaxing of these archaic and pompous legal traditions is to be welcomed.
The wigs, gowns and such paraphernalia are simply means by which the profession creates an aura of mystery.
In a modern educated society, such outdated symbols no longer serve the purpose of cultivating respect for the legal profession.
Instead, they serve to distance the legal system from the public. Justice and the law must be accessible and wigs, gowns and the sometimes archaic language of the court system only lessens public respect for the courts and its practitioners.
People must educate themselves on referendums
The Presidential election on October 27 has dominated media headlines for many weeks. However two significant referendums, which will take place on the same day, have only recently begun to attract attention from the public.
The referendums on judges' pay and the powers of Oireachtas inquiries are significant issues that require explanation and discussion.
The Referendum Commission has published literature on both issues - whilst the media has begun to focus its attention on both sides of the arguments.
Citizens must educate themselves on these important matters before casting their votes.
