Dublin City Council has said that 160 containers of recyclable waste bound for China were detained by Dutch officials in Rotterdam in November and December because of “low-percentage” contamination by recyclable materials.

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has confirmed to the Dáil that bin charges will be frozen for 12 months.

The Social Protection Minister has said it is apparent waste companies are taking advantage of new laws.

The Housing and Local Government Minister Simon Coveney will meet waste collection companies this evening as opposition mounts to a new bin charging regime.

Customers face bills in excess of €500 a year to have their bins collected, representing an 80% hike on current rates when the new pay-by- weight charges kick in on July 1

Charges are to be introduced for the first time for green bins from July 1.

Hidden cameras, a name-and-shame policy and education programmes are among the likely proposals being considered by Cork County Council chiefs to halt public littering.

Two stories today — and the ongoing disintegration of rural and not so rural roads — illustrate the continuing financial crisis facing our local authorities.

Cork’s county manager Martin Riordan has defended a controversial decision to employ a private debt collection company to recoup €1.8m owed to the county council in refuse collection charges.