Vol. 477 No. 5
46 Miss Quill asked the Minister for the Environment if he intends to make regulations under the Waste Management Act, 1996 to introduce charges for plastic bags in retail outlets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9755/97]
In February, 1997, I published draft Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations which would impose extensive obligations on suppliers of packaging and packaged goods in relation to the acceptance, collection and recovery of packaging waste. Following consultations at national level and with the European Commission, I expect to be in a position to make these regulations in the near future. I am confident they will have a major beneficial impact on recycling of packaging waste.
I intend to keep under review the scope for measures to deal specifically with plastic bags in the light of the provisions available under section 29 of the Waste Management Act, 1996 which will soon be amplified by the Litter Pollution Bill, 1996.
