Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 27 Feb 2001

Vol. 531 No. 3

Written Answers. - Packaging Materials.

John Perry

Ceist:

281 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals in place to provide assistance for those who wish to change from plastic to eco-friendly packaging; if he will use the taxes raised on a tax on plastic bags to support and subsidise the cost of environmentally friendly packaging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5465/01]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey):

The question of which packaging materials and packaging systems are environmentally preferable is complex, and a definitive assessment of the best practicable environmental option in any particular circumstance would require appropriate life cycle analysis.

Article 18 of EU Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste prohibits member states from impeding the placing on the market of packaging that satisfies the provisions of the directive, which is in accordance with the essential requirements specified in annex II of the directive as to the composition and the reusable and recoverable nature of packaging.

In general, the provision by a member state of subvention in respect of the production of any particular product or packaging, to the detriment of others, would appear to be contrary to the rules of the Single Market.

Accordingly, while the Government has agreed that the proceeds from the proposed levy on plastic shopping bags will accrue to a dedicated central fund for use in support of waste minimisation, recycling and other desirable litter, waste management and environmental initiatives generally, I have no proposals to use levy revenues to directly subsidise specific types of packaging.