I propose to take Questions Nos. 503 and 504 together.
The EU Directive on End-of-Life Vehicles (2000/53/EC) requires member states to bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with the directive by 21 April 2002. Apart from legal transposition, the directive provides certain discretion to member states as to when various provisions must be implemented. My Department is progressing work with a view to early transposition and implementation. However, full transposition also depends on a number of issues being finalised by the European Commission. There is no likelihood, therefore, of Ireland being subject to fines for non-implementation in the near future.
As part of the progress towards transposition and implementation of the Directive, my Department has been actively engaged with the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), the Irish Motor Vehicle Recyclers Association (IMVRA), the Metal Merchants Association of Ireland (MMAI) and other concerned parties with a view to developing a producer responsibility initiative which would implement a number of the directive's provisions.
These stakeholder bodies submitted an agreed initial proposal for an end-of-life vehicle (ELV) management scheme towards the end of last year. This replaces earlier proposals by SIMI alone. Consultants have been engaged by the stakeholders to assist in the development of a finalised proposal. It is my intention to secure early agreement on a detailed management scheme with the support of all stakeholders as soon as possible. Once operational, it is envisaged the directive will facilitate the development of a modern, efficient and sustainable vehicle dismantling, treatment and shredding sector.
Difficulties now being experienced by the ferrous metal recycling or vehicle shredding industry have resulted in part from revisions to the European Waste Catalogue which came into force on 1 January 2002. These re-classified non de-polluted end-of-life vehicles and waste containing dangerous substances generated by the recovery of metals from vehicles – auto shredder residue (ASR) – as hazardous waste. The increasing cost of landfill has also impacted on the sector. I will consider, with EPA, the scope for appropriate action to ensure safe disposal of ASR in landfills.