Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 14 Nov 2002

Vol. 557 No. 3

Written Answers. - End-of-Life Vehicles.

Mary Upton

Question:

243 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the widespread problem of company cars; the steps he will take to provide for the proper disposal of cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22112/02]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

I am aware of the problems associated with the misuse of "company cars", that is, end-of-life vehicles, ELVs, which instead of being properly dismantled are supplied at discounted prices. One of the factors contributing to this phenomenon is the abandonment of ELVs by their last owners due to the gate fee cost generally associated with depositing such vehicles at vehicle dismantlers or shredders for appropriate treatment and recovery.

In this regard, my Department has been actively engaged with the Society for the Irish Motor Industry, SIMI, the Irish Motor Vehicle Recyclers Association, IMVRA, the Metal Recyclers Association of Ireland, MRAI, and other concerned parties with a view to developing a producer responsibility initiative to implement the main provisions of European Parliament and Council Directive 2000/53/EC on end-of-life vehicles. A particular objective of the directive is to ensure that all ELVs are collected, dismantled and recovered by industry in an environmentally sound manner at no cost to the final owner.

These stakeholder bodies submitted an agreed initial proposal for an ELV management scheme towards the end of last year. This replaced earlier proposals by SIMI alone. Consultants were engaged by the stakeholders to assist in the development of the agreed initial proposals but a number of outstanding issues remain to be resolved. I am preparing appropriate legislative proposals to provide for implementation of the detailed ELV management scheme consistent with the requirements of the directive. The introduction of the free take-back arrangements for ELVs as provided for in the directive is expected to result in reduced numbers of ELVs being abandoned, which in turn should reduce the availability and supply of "company cars" for unsuitable uses.