John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

A number of meetings have taken place with Repak and a number of sub-groups are driving action in the recycling market. A meeting took place on 6 January last at which it emerged the material is now moving and that the amount of recyclables in storage has reduced. Repak estimated that approximately 8,000 to 10,000 tonnes are currently in temporary storage.

Markets have reopened and prices recovered slightly in December but there is a problem with plastics, due in large part to the low price of oil at present. It is strange to say we need to ensure we have higher oil prices but it is a fact because recyclable plastics will not move otherwise. There is no movement in the Chinese market in particular. The paper and cardboard markets, particularly for paper and cardboard of better quality, are recovering but there is still a problem with plastics. I am trying as best I can to ensure we have some movement in this area. We have invested an additional €2 million, which will bring the total fund up to €14 million in 2009. This is to assist the local authorities with the operational costs associated with their recycling facilities.

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