Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 2003

Vol. 573 No. 3

Written Answers. - Packaging Costs.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

179 Mr. Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans to introduce legislation that requires all producers selling goods in the Twenty-six Counties to state the cost of packaging as a percentage of the cost of an individual product, pack or item as supplied to the retailer; her views on highlighting the disproportionate costs of packaging compared to the value of goods sold which could serve to encourage producers to reduce packaging at the point of production; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24897/03]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

I have no proposals to introduce legislation along the lines suggested in the question. It is not evident that there is a widespread problem regarding the costs of product packaging which would warrant legislative intervention. We also need to be careful about introducing new regulatory burdens, the costs of which are borne, ultimately, by consumers. Policy relating to the minimisation of packaging for environmental reasons is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.