Vol. 573 No. 3
666 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the proposed tax on automated teller machine slips; and the reason there is a need to charge all innocents and polluters alike while existing legislation is left unused, particularly when the culprit can be identified by their bank account number printed on the offending litter. [25060/03]
The Litter Pollution Acts 1997 to 2003 provide local authorities with a wide range of powers to tackle litter pollution. Under the Acts, the primary management and enforcement responses must come from local authorities. They can investigate instances of littering and take appropriate clean-up and enforcement actions. Local authorities have significantly stepped up enforcement of the litter laws in recent years.
In March 2002 the environmental levy on plastic bags was introduced. It has resulted in a reduction in the dispensing of plastic shopping bags at retail outlets by over 90%. An Agreed Programme for Government contained a commitment to consider the extension of the levy on plastic bags to other materials which may be problematic from a waste management and/or litter perspective.
The litter monitoring body is co-ordinated by my Department. In July it published a report that identified ATM receipts as significant elements of paper litter. Chewing gum and fast food take-away bags and wrappers were also identified as being problematic litter items.
As I announced last July, I am anxious to support strengthened local authority anti-litter action by tackling these problem areas. I recently commissioned a consultancy study to carry out an analysis of, and to make recommendations on: the implementation of economic instruments, including environmental levies, on these materials; to address the design issues associated with the implementation of recommended economic instruments; and the efficient administrative collection mechanisms to be applied. The consultants' report is due to be completed by the end of this month. It is anticipated that all relevant issues, including those raised by the Deputy, will be considered by the consultants during the course of their deliberations.
I intend to make detailed proposals to Cabinet on the three targeted items at the earliest opportunity following a limited public consultation process, as well as consultation with other Departments.
