Mary Upton
Question:132 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when the entire State is to be designated as a nitrates vulnerable zone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3858/03]
Written Answers - EU Directives.
I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 166 and 404 on 4 February 2003. I understand that the Government's approach of applying the nitrates directive on a whole territory basis will be effected shortly by means of a statutory instrument now in preparation.
Seán Ryan
Question:133 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to support implementation of the end of licence vehicle recovery scheme, as required by EU directive; if it is intended to impose a levy on the price of cars to pay for the scheme; if manufacturers will be permitted to pass this levy on to purchasers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8760/03]
As indicated previously, my Department has been actively engaged with the Society for the Irish Motor Industry, the Irish Motor Vehicle Recyclers Association, the Metal Recyclers Association of Ireland and other parties concerned 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, ELVs. Under the directive, member states must ensure that the last holder or owner can deliver the end-of-life vehicle to an authorised treatment facility free of charge and that the relevant economic operators meet all, or a significant part of, the costs of implementing these measures. The directive also requires member states to introduce a system whereby certificates of destruction are notified to the competent vehicle registration authorities on foot of the deposit of vehicles for scrapping.
Agreement in principle has been reached by the economic sectors to establish a not for profit company to operate an ELV recovery scheme which will be subsidised by a fund generated by a levy on imported new and used vehicles. The Government has recently approved my proposals on an ELV recovery scheme which includes the introduction of a levy of €150, net of VAT, on the importation of new and used vehicles to ensure that the ELV treatment requirements and the recovery targets under the directive can be met. The timing of the imposition of the levy and the commencement of free take-back of ELVs will be determined in light of progress in finalising legislation and the necessary regulations. The detailed mechanisms for the imposition and operation of the levy are under consideration in the context of preparation of the enabling primary legislation which is required for the purpose of implementing the directive. It is intended that the necessary legislative provisions to implement the directive will be incorporated, at an appropriate stage, in the Protection of the Environment Bill 2003, now before the Seanad.