A legal action by waste management firm Panda, which centres on the local authorities' control of waste collection in Dublin, is underway at the High Court.

Panda is trying to stop Dublin City Council, which is defending the case, from implementing changes to the waste management plan.

Lawyers for the company told the court there was a game afoot by Dublin County Council to re-monopolise waste.

If the amendment to the plan is implemented, it would prevent private waste collection companies from operating anywhere in Dublin and force them to apply for a contract and work within the council's terms and conditions.

The case is expected to last a number of weeks.