Vol. 531 No. 2
35 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the progress made in regard to his discussions with the motor industry for measures for the safe and effective disposal of end of life vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5154/01]
116 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to report on the discussions that have taken place between his Department and the Society of the Irish Motor Industry in connection with dealing with the problem of abandoned cars since the introduction of the national car test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1188/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 116 together.
My Department has engaged with the Society of the Irish Motor Industry – SIMI – the Irish Motor Vehicle Recyclers Association – IMVRA – and the Metal Merchants Association of Ireland – MMAI – with a view to the development of a producer responsibility initiative in relation to end of life vehicles – ELVs. It is intended that such an initiative would, in particular, take account of Directive 2000/53/EC of the European Parliament and the Council on end of life vehicles. This directive entered into force on 21 October 2000 and member states must implement its requirements by April 2002.
The directive incorporates a number of significant requirements, including measures aimed at ensuring that relevant economic operators establish collection systems for ELVs at no cost to the final holder; ensuring that all collected ELVs are dismantled and recovered in a manner which does not cause environmental pollution; preventing waste from vehicles; increasing the recovery and recycling rates of ELVs and their components; and minimising the use of hazardous materials-substances in vehicles. At the invitation of my Department, and in anticipation of the adoption of the directive, an initial proposal for an ELV management system for Ireland was submitted by SIMI in December 1999. Following the formal adoption of the directive in October 2000 and consultation with other interested parties, including IMVRA, MMAI, relevant Government Departments and State agencies, my Department responded to the initial SIMI proposal in November 2000. A joint meeting of all relevant stakeholders is scheduled to take place in early March in order to progress the development of a practicable industry-led scheme. It is my objective to secure agreement on an acceptable vehicle recovery scheme and to give effect to Directive 2000/53/EC as soon as possible.
