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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Oct 1999

Vol. 508 No. 3

Written Answers - Waste Management.

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

107 Ms Clune asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of businesses which qualify as major producers under the Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations, 1997; the number of these businesses which are members of Repak; the number of these businesses registered with the relevant local authority; if he has satisfied himself that the regulations are being implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18763/99]

Article 19 of the Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations, 1997, provides that each local authority is responsible for the enforcement of the regulations within its functional area, and requires local authorities to take such steps as are necessary for this purpose.

Accordingly, it is a matter for each local authority, using the extensive powers available under the Waste Management Act, 1996, and the 1997 regulations, to identify businesses which are "major producers" within the meaning of the regulations, and ensure that they comply with their legal obligations. I have no direct function in relation to the enforcement of the 1997 regulations.

Nevertheless, I am concerned that there should be effective implementation of the regulations so that responsibility for recycling packaging waste is borne equitably by packaging producers. Businesses which meet their producer responsibility obligations, either as members of Repak (which I understand now has 364 member companies) or on an individual basis, should not be placed at a commercial disadvantage by free riders who seek to evade these obligations. Accordingly, my Department has, where possible, endeavoured to facilitate the effective enforcement and implementation of the regulations by local authorities.

I am aware that local authorities are generally now devoting more resources to the enforcement of the 1997 regulations than was the case heretofore and, while further improvement is necessary in this regard, I am satisfied that progress is being achieved.
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