Call for seven-day service to address overflowing Mayo bins

THE issue of litter bins not being emptied over the Christmas period has been raised by Councillor Mark Duffy.

He highlighted the issue in his town, Ballina, saying it makes for a poor reflection on the council on the back of the great work done during the year, supported by the community groups.

The world does not stop at 5 p.m. on a Friday evening, he told the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council, and a service is needed seven days a week and over the Christmas period.

Recycling centres were also closed, he noted, for nine or 10 days in a row at what is the busiest period.

Could this be changed, he asked. There was a staff issue but he was sure some people would be happy to work.

Basic services should be delivered and he would hate to see this happening again next Christmas.

Councillor John O'Hara said he too had received calls about the bins.

A lot of people had been circulating and using the streets, and he had also seen that the bottle banks were full.

Someone needed to work even one day extra in the middle of the festive period.