Waste collection company Greyhound is reconsidering its policy in relation to the collection of waste bags in Dublin for health and safety reasons.

It comes after a collection worker's hand was pierced by a used syringe discarded in a bag.

It adds that a child in the Ballymun area also came into contact with syringes.

Under European Union legislation introduced in July, the collection of bags was to be banned.

However, following lobbying from a small number of local representative 900 roads were provided a derogation from the legislation by Dublin City Council.

Greyhound's managing director, John Brosnan said: "Bin bags have been a source of risk to our crews with syringes, broken glass and other sharp instruments found discarded in bags.

"We have a duty of care to our employees and must reassess, as a matter or urgency, the dangers to which they are being exposed. Local children are also being exposed to risk.

"For some time now, we have been urging people to switch to bins which are more convenient; cleaner and present less risk to our collection crews.

"We don't understand why some local representatives are neglecting workers and public safety."