Vol. 534 No. 1
182 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he is confident that consumers will pay for plastic bags at the point of sale in January, 2002, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10230/01]
The primary purpose of the proposed measure is to directly influence consumer behaviour and achieve a significant reduction in the consumption of plastic shopping bags dispensed at retail outlets, because of their significance as a highly visible component of litter. It will of course be open to customers to utilise re-useable bags or other containers for shopping purposes, and thereby avoid exposure to the proposed levy. In this regard, I have highlighted the desirability of utilising reusable shopping bags as part of a specific initiative on environmentally friendly shopping, under the ongoing national environmental awareness campaign.
