Sir, - Perhaps it will help the debate on service charges to remember the unfortunate and environmentally destructive fact that what is free is rarely used wisely. The amount of rubbish produced, and of water consumed, would be reduced if households were charged on the basis of the amounts used. But as these services involve basic needs, those who cannot afford them should not have to pay for the basic services.
However, these services do cost money. There is no logical reason why the average person should expect to get them free. I would rather my tax bill were reduced and my services bill increased, because that way I would have some control over the bill I will get and some control over how my money is spent by the authorities.
A possible solution, therefore, is to provide a meter, a basic supply of water and one small bin every week free, but to charge for additional water used and each additional rubbish bin. The charges could be scaled so that the third bin cost more than the second, etc. - Yours, etc
Straleek,
Celbridge, Co Kildare.