Vol. 426 No. 5
156 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment the legislation which implements EC Directive 85/339; the success of the directive; and the way in which Ireland's performance on this directive relates to that of other EC member states.
Wexford): As permitted by Directive 85/339/EEC on Containers of Liquids for Human Consumption, Ireland has relied on administrative means and voluntary agreements to implement the Directive and was the first member state to submit a national programme to the Commission.
Considerable progress has been achieved under the national programme. For example, glass recycling has increased from 7 per cent in 1986 to more than 20 per cent at present, and aluminium can recovery has risen in the same period from virtually zero to 12 per cent. While no detailed information is available regarding other member states' performance, I am aware that a variety of different approaches has been taken and that the Commission generally regards progress under the Directive as disappointing. The Commission has, accordingly, presented a proposal for a directive dealing with all packaging and packaging waste which is currently before Council and which provides for the repeal of Directive 85/339/EEC.
