Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
109. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to concerns related to the wording of the plastic bag levy legislation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12447/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government charges a levy of 22c on single-use lightweight plastic bags. The levy was introduced in 2002 as a means of reducing the consumption of such plastic bags by influencing consumer behaviour. It has proven enormously successful, reducing the use of these bags from a peak of more than 132 million in 2006 to just over 8 million during 2022 (the last full year for which figures are available). A levy is not charged on reusable bags, often referred to as ‘bags for life’.
In December 2023, I signed the new Circular Economy (Environmental Levy)(Plastic Bag)(No. 2) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 698 of 2023). These took effect from 1st January 2024 and transposed EU Directive 2015/720 on lightweight plastic bags. These Regulations, in which plastic bags are classified according to the wall thickness (in microns) of the bag, removed the minimum size exemption for very lightweight plastic bags and the minimum price of 70c for reusable bags.
Reusable bags are no longer subject to the minimum price requirement if they have a minimum wall thickness of 50 microns. These are substantial bags which are typically stored and reused by the purchaser, rather than being disposed of in the manner of lightweight bags.
