It’s dead expensive!

BURIALS are now more expensive in Dublin than London and Paris, a Southside TD has claimed.

Speaking to the Dáil recently, the Labour TD Eamonn Maloney said his Cemetery Management Bill 2013 introduces a regulator and a licensing of cemetery authorities.

He claimed this has become necessary due to some cemetery operators creating a near monopoly, most notably in Dublin, where the market is distorted.

“As a result, competition with independent traders in burial services is monopolised at a substantial cost to the State and consumers,

? he said.

“The cost to the State is substantially increased when charitable status is a factor in the operation of the cemetery through the non-collection of tax, the loss of competitors’ tax-paying businesses, together with the subsequent loss of employment.

“The cost to the family of the deceased person means Dublin is now one of the most expensive places in the world for a burial.

?

According to Deputy Maloney, the problem in the capital has developed as a consequence of the Dublin Cemeteries Committee Bill 1970, which allowed a cemetery authority from Victorian times to grow into a practical monopoly.

“As a result, costs of burial in Dublin have risen dramatically and at great cost to the consumer,

? he said.

Speaking at the Second Stage of the Cemetery Management Bill 2013, Deputy Maloney pointed out to the Dáil that Dublin is now more expensive to have a burial than London and Paris.

“I am very pleased to receive an indication from the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan, that he is in agreement with the principles of the Cemetery Management Bill and is very concerned at the issues and huge expense involved,

? he added.