Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

I endorse much of what Deputy Kevin Humphreys has already said, particularly with regard to the levy on excess packaging which is important. We can be quite progressive in that regard if we so choose. I will confine my remarks to the possibility of a levy on incineration. I have spoken before, as many others did, about the importance of having that levy. If we want to avoid over-reliance on incineration and have a proper balance in the waste management matrix, there must be levies on incineration. I take the Minister's point that at the moment such levies may be premature because the market has not established itself. We may need to wait for that to happen before we can bring in levies, which are essential. I would welcome any commitment from the Minister to examine the possibility of introducing levies at a future date. The Minister should have such powers in his armoury as we consider how to improve waste management. The Minister must have the ability to impose a levy at some future date when he feels the market is established and it is then necessary to move waste management mechanisms further up the hierarchy.

I welcome the Bill and support the Minister in his endeavours.

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