Vol. 508 No. 1
623 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals, if any, he has prepared which would involve the ear-marked taxation or other measures to penalise those who use disposable packaging which ends up as litter or unrecycleable landfill material in order to promote better practices and to finance litter removal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18266/99]
The Minister for the Environment and Local Government recently published a consultancy study on the use and environmental impact of plastic bags for the purposes of public consultation over a two month period. This study identified a range of possible fiscal, regulatory and other options to address the environmental problems created by plastic bags, including the question of a levy on the supply of such bags. Following the public consultation process, the Minister will bring forward proposals to implement the Government commitment to tax plastic bags.
It is the intention further to expand upon the 1998 policy statement, Changing our Ways, with the publication of another policy statement focusing on recycling and waste recovery generally. This policy document will, inter alia, outline the scope of measures, including fiscal instruments, which may be undertaken to provide an incentive for the diversion of waste from landfill in favour of waste recycling and recovery activities.
Repak Limited, which is an approved body for the purposes of the Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations, 1997, intends in 2000 to move from its existing turnover-based membership fee structure to one based on the weight and composition of packaging placed by members on the market. This transition will provide an incentive to Repak members to take measures to reduce the amount and problematic nature of packaging being used.
