Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent)
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I welcome the witnesses. The biggest concern for farmers is that they pay a levy fee twice for farm plastics, at purchase and disposal. That is hard hitting in what are tough times for many farmers.

I have a number of questions for the IFFPG and I would appreciate if the witnesses would make a note of them as some may be connected. If I go too fast, they might pull me up and I will slow down. Am I correct in saying the IFFPG has its own compliance officer? What is the job description? Does the compliance officer visit the yards of agents and, if so, how often? Are all the agents compliant with the terms of permits? If there are any issues of non-compliance, how are they dealt with and are they reported to the local council? Can it be confirmed or denied if the IFFPG gave a contract to a company some years ago that has a conviction following a prosecution by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA?

What happened with the contractor's yard in Killorglin? Why was it closed? Who and what gives the IFFPG the authority to demand exclusive rights to the end-market recyclers? Since the introduction of the levy, what has been its annual value to the IFFPG? How much did the IFFPG earn from the sale of plastic annually during the good years when plastic had value?