City centre ‘in reverse’: Local TD slams Government over lack of progress on Dublin waste crisis

Labour TD for Dublin Central, Marie Sherlock, has sharply criticised the Government’s failure to act on mounting concerns about waste and cleanliness in the capital, following the latest Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) survey which shows that conditions in the city centre are deteriorating.

Deputy Sherlock said the findings are “frustratingly predictable” and mark yet another missed opportunity to improve Dublin’s waste management systems.

“Nine months on from the much-publicised Dublin City Task Force, we’ve had nothing but empty promises,” she said.

“Last year, even the then Taoiseach acknowledged that our waste processes had to change. There were clear recommendations—but today’s IBAL report confirms that nothing has been done. Our streets are going backwards, not forward.”

The IBAL survey, released earlier this week, found worsening levels of litter and illegal dumping in key city centre areas, renewing concerns from residents and businesses about the cleanliness and livability of the capital.

Deputy Sherlock pointed to systemic problems in Dublin’s waste collection system. “It’s dysfunctional. Private waste companies can drive past litter-strewn streets and illegally dumped bags with impunity. It’s Dublin City Council that’s left to pick up the pieces, but the entire system is chronically underfunded,” she said.

The North Inner City representative said that many locals feel “duped” by pre-election promises of reform and revitalisation.

“People are fed up—and rightly so. We need a waste system that works for people and the planet. That means prioritising sustainability, affordability, and accountability.”

Labour is calling for sweeping reforms including:

• Clear legislation to hold landlords accountable for waste management

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• Overhaul of how waste is collected, including who is responsible for doing so

• Investment in better infrastructure for recycling and waste separation

• Fairer charges for households and businesses

“The patchwork system we have now simply isn’t fit for purpose,” Sherlock said. “We need real reform—not more consultations or vague commitments. Dublin deserves clean streets, proper waste separation, and fair costs.”

Sherlock urged the Government to immediately publish a concrete action plan for reforming waste services in urban areas.

“The time for excuses is over. We’ve heard it all before. What Dubliners need now is leadership and delivery.”

The IBAL report has intensified pressure on the Government to respond, especially as city centre conditions face increasing scrutiny from tourism bodies, local business groups, and residents’ associations.

As summer draws in and footfall in the capital increases, the spotlight on Dublin’s waste management issues is unlikely to dim.

Deputy Sherlock’s intervention is the latest in a growing chorus of voices demanding a clean, well-managed and sustainable capital city.