SIR - The article by Tom Edwards about the collection of domestic waste in the Republic of Ireland missed a couple of important points.

1. The system makes residents take responsibility for ensuring that their bins get emptied rather than relying on the Council to do it for them, with the stickers indicating that payment has been made - no current sticker and the bin is not emptied.

2. The existence of several commercial providers - there are 2 companies vying for trade in the village in which my daughter lives - keeps the cost and service standards competitive.

Local taxation reflects this, although taxes have increased during the recession. I am not claiming that this system is better than ours, just different. But effective.

Liz Smith

Worcester