I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together.
A commitment to establish a Deposit Return Scheme was part of the Programme for Government and the timeline for its establishment was set out in the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, published in September 2020.
The introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme for plastic beverage bottles and aluminium cans will assist in reducing single use plastics and will help Ireland meet EU targets while promoting a wider circular economy. In November 2021, the Separate Collection (Deposit Return Scheme) Regulations 2021 were signed, providing the legal framework for the scheme which will become operational across the country in Quarter 3 this year.
The next step in the process is the appointment of an approved body to operate the scheme. Operational matters, including those raised in these questions, will be considered and addressed by the system operator during the design of the scheme.