Proposals to introduce bin tag charges for pensioners in Cork whose sole source of income is the state pension have been described as "anti-social, uncivilised and nasty," by one city councillor.

Socialist Party councillor Mick Barry has advised councillors to refuse to pass the budget to prevent the plan from going through.

Under the proposal 5,500 households who currently have a full waiver for bin tags will face paying for bin charges.

Cllr Barry said, "There is a very good reason why these 5,500 households are on a full waiver; they are the poorest households in the city. Old age pensioners whose sole source of income is the state pension have never been asked to pay bin charges in this city before and they should not be asked to do so now".

He added, "The City Manager is trying to get his foot in the pensioners door. Mark my words, once the charges come in they will then start to increase pretty damn fast and before you know it the poorest pensioners will be hit for hefty sums".

Cllr Barry claimed that the Council was hypocritical in offering increased pay to the Lord Mayor and extra expenses to councillors while at the same time planning to impose charges on pensioners.

Critics of Cllr Barry have claimed however that his opposition to bin charges in principle that has helped to damage revenues in the service which is now in very real danger.

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