Liz O'Donnell
Ceist:63 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for the Environment the targets, if any, set by him in relation to the EU Directive on Packaging by the year 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4992/97]
Written Answers. - EU Directive on Packaging.
Máirín Quill
Ceist:137 Miss Quill asked the Minister for the Environment the targets set by him by the year 2001 in relation to the EU Directive on Packaging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5171/97]
Kathleen Lynch
Ceist:176 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment the steps, if any, he intends taking to ensure maximum participation by industry in the industry recycling scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4983/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 137 and 176 together.
The EU Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (94/62/EC) established a minimum recovery rate, in Ireland's case, of 25 per cent for waste packaging by 2001. A target rate of 27 per cent by 2001 has been adopted by REPAK, and this is broadly consistent with relevant EU and national targets.
The operation of REPAK will be supported by the Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations which I have published in draft. The draft regulations are intended to promote the collection and recycling of packaging waste. The main obligations will apply to large-scale suppliers of packaging waste who will be required to accept or collect such waste and to take measures to secure or facilitate its recovery. The draft regulations also provide for the approval by the Minister for the Environment of schemes for the recovery of packaging waste. Suppliers who are participating satisfactorily in an approved scheme will be exempt from the main requirements of the regulations. I propose to bring the regulations into effect next month, following the obligatory period of three months' consultation within the European Union.