Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the witnesses for their brevity on this. I propose that we bank the questions. If anyone wants to come in at any point, they should indicate to me and I will get around to any members who want to contribute.

My first questions are for the Department. On banning non-compostable disposable cups, glasses and tableware, I note Mr. Collins's comments on the incompatibility with the EU packaging and waste directive. I know the committee is taking its own legal advice. Is this an issue the Minister would raise with his European counterparts? Has the European Commission's plastics strategy been considered regarding this issue?

I note the EPA's point on the present treatment of recyclable waste which cannot be dealt with here and much of which is exported. Is Dr. Tom Ryan diplomatically asking where all this new recycling will happen if the Bill proceeds?

My final questions for now are for Repak. Presumably the deposit-and-return scheme, if introduced, would deal with more lucrative plastics. How would that impact on household waste charges? That is a concern for members of the public.

We will bank those questions. If anyone wants to come in on any of those later, I will let them do so.