Vol. 516 No. 6
330 Mr. Power asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will consider changes to allow cleaner and more fuel-efficient cars to be rewarded by linking tax charges to exhaust emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9125/00]
There are no proposals at this stage to change the basis of assessment of motor tax but the matter will be kept under review. As a move towards "greening" of motor tax rates, changes in motor tax rates for public service vehicles which came into effect in August 1998 provided for substantial reductions in motor tax for categories of vehicles used as public transport vehicles. The motor tax base is already highly differentiated, in that cars with a higher cubic capacity which, in general, use more fuel and have higher emissions pay a higher pro rata rate of motor tax.
331 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will consider introducing a producer pays policy to compliment the stated policy of polluter pays to allow Government or local authorities raise revenue from the producers of waste, thereby reduce the costs of disposal; if policy can be developed to reduce waste and use of plastic bags; if the Government will increase its allocation to local government so that extra litter wardens can be employed; and if he will increase on the spot fines. [9165/00]
There is already a number of initiatives whereby, in accordance with the principle of producer responsibility, business sectors have accepted responsibility for devising, operating and financing systems for the recovery of wastes arising directly or indirectly as a result of their activities.
Repak Limited was established in 1997 by Irish industry as a voluntary compliance scheme to promote, co-ordinate and finance the collection and recovery of packaging waste, so as to achieve the national targets specified in Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste. Repak Limited's activities are financed by fees from member businesses which, I understand, are expected to exceed £11 million this year.
An equivalent recovery scheme for farm plastic waste is being operated by the Irish Farm Films Producers Group, and very good progress has been made to date in relation to the collection from farms, and recovery of, used silage wrap and other farm plastic wastes. Work is ongoing on the development of further producer responsibility initiatives in relation to specific waste streams.
The construction industry was invited to develop proposals for a producer responsibility initiative aimed at meeting national recovery targets for construction and demolition waste. In response, the forum for the construction industry has established a dedicated task force to address this issue, with a view to submitting proposals to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government by July 2000. The motor industry is also developing proposals for a producer responsibility initiative in relation to end-of-life vehicles and waste tyres, while initial discussions have taken place with industry concerning waste electronic and electrical equipment.
It is the intention further to expand upon the 1998 policy statement, Changing our Ways, with the publication of another policy statement focusing on waste prevention and minimisation, recycling and waste recovery generally. This policy document will, inter alia, outline the scope of measures, including fiscal instruments, which may be undertaken to provide an incentive for the diversion of waste from landfill in favour of waste recycling and recovery activities.
Following a recent public consultation process, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government will shortly bring forward proposals to implement the Government commitment to tax plastic shopping bags.
