Deirdre Clune
Question:211 Ms Clune asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his plans for a tax on plastic bags which are degradable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29125/01]
Written Answers. - Litter Pollution.
Draft regulations in relation to the proposed introduction of a 15 cent – 12p – levy on plastic shopping bags were issued for public consultation on 18 September 2001. The draft regulations provide that the levy will take effect from 4 February 2002. It will apply to all plastic bags suitable for use by customers at the point of sale in supermarkets, service stations or other sales outlets, except those exempted in the draft regulations for food hygiene reasons. Provision is not made for an exemption for degradable bags as the levy proposals have a strong anti-litter emphasis.
A number of interested parties have sought changes to, or exemptions from, the regulations, including in relation to bio-degradable bags. For this reason, it is neither desirable nor appropriate for me to address any specific aspect of the changes or exemptions sought in advance of final decisions in relation to all submissions which have been received. The submissions are now being evaluated, and I intend to make the final regulations within the next few weeks.